Living in the Pyrocene: Managing the Changing Risks from Forest Fires

Documented warming and drying of climate over the last several decades have significantly increased fire-season fuel aridity, and fostered an environment favorable for devasting fires. In addition, warmer winters due to climate change enable insect infestations to be more effective at killing and drying out large expanses of trees, which become the available fuel for ignition by lightning strikes. As fire season is now much longer than it was a half a century ago, the threat to biodiversity, the global hydrological cycle, and global climate is ominous.

Our CSU panelists will discuss how climate change is manipulating the shape of our planet through fire and the implications this has on human health, the environment and our future.

Panelists:

Sheryl Magzamen, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
Camille Stevens-Rumann, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Jeff Pierce, Atmospheric Science

Moderator: Gene Kelly, SoGES Faculty Research Liaison, Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Associate Dean of Extension