Fire in Pacific Northwest Forests: Past, Present, and Future

Oregon Fire is a powerful elemental force that is certainly dangerous to people and property across the Pacific Northwest. But does fire actually destroy our forests, or is it a vital ingredient of a healthy ecosystem? And how has the role of fire changed in the face of climate change?

These important questions are the subject of an upcoming free, four-part educational webinar series— “Fire in Pacific Northwest Forests: Past, Present, and Future”—presented by Great Old Broads for Wilderness (“Broads”) and hosted by the Rogue Valley, Cascade Volcanoes, Willamette Valley, and Central Oregon Bitterbrush chapters.

These Zoom-based webinars, featuring expert forest and wildfire scientists and practitioners, will take a closer look at the historical role of fire in the Pacific Northwest’s forested landscapes, and how that role has changed with human management.

The first session: “Fire in the Forest: A Natural Process and Unnatural Changes”— Participants will learn about the natural role that fires play in forested landscapes and ecosystems in the region, and how climate change and human management has altered those roles—from the use of fire by indigenous people to modern systematic fire suppression. 

These sessions are free and open to all, but space is limited. Broads kindly asks for a suggested $10 donation to support their continued on-the-ground grassroots advocacy work.

A Spanish-translated video of highlights from each webinar will be available in April. Contact katya@greatoldbroads.org directly for further information.