Encore: Rick Halsey on Wildfire in the West and California's Chaparral

This is an encore of my popular wildfire in the west interview with Rick Halsey of the California Chaparral Institute.

Don't worry, more great new episodes are coming.  Do you want to learn about bird migration forecasting? I’ve got you covered. And how about maximizing your nature observations when in the field? Covered again. And I have a bunch of other episodes and new projects in the works, too, from wild memes to beavers to mycelium - that confirms it! I’m really a fungi!

Onto the encore of episode 9. And if you enjoy the topic of wildfire, also check episode #24 with Justin Angle.

Rick Halsey is the author of “Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California”, and has a background in Environmental Studies, Anthropology, and Education, with degrees from University of California Santa Barbara and Cal State San Diego and UC Berkeley. 

He is the founder and director of the California Chaparral Institute, dedicated to preserving California’s chaparral through scientific research, nature education, and activism. Chaparral habitats are expansive and the most important habitat at the wildland/urban interface in California’s major cities. 

In this episode we discuss the myths and realities of wildfire. There are many eye opening insights that often get lost in our desire to have single, simple answers. That’s the theme of the episode - nuance. Causes and solutions vary by habitat and condition. And while we focus a lot on California, the principles apply to much of the west.

We discuss the ecosystems of the west, their historical fire behaviors and how that history was determined through charcoal records and tree ring analysis. We discuss the fact that huge, hot fires are not necessarily unnatural, and why the “fuel build up” narrative is often untrue, and when it makes sense. And the dramatic increase in human caused ignitions, which often occur at the more unnatural and dangerous times of the season. We discuss indigenous fire management and application and simple solutions for people living in the wildland-urban interface.

We also delve into Rick’s insights as an educator. His skill and dedication led to him receiving the McAuliffe Fellowship. Over the years he’s fine-tuned his delivery and we discuss his wonderful essay on his transformation from lecturer to the engage model.

Full Notes
Jack Cohen
Keith Lombardo
Rick's Book
Camp Fire Paradise, CA disaster
Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park disaster
Study shows improved hospital recovery for park-facing patients
Santa Monica NRA wildfire chaparral resources
ABA Podcast Steve Maguire’s high school ornithology class
The Nature Fix – Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative – Florence Williams
WASP sprinklers