Shasta Fire Safe Council - Climate Change and Fire

In this comprehensive presentation, Carl Skinner, a retired research geographer with 42 years of service at the U.S. Forest Service, delves into the intricate relationship between fire management, research, and the impacts of climate change on forest fires. Drawing from data spanning nearly a century, Skinner presents charts detailing the millions of acres burned annually and how fire suppression efforts in the 20th century have played a pivotal role in current fire behavior. Collaborating with esteemed researchers like Kathy Whitlock and Alan Taylor, he explores historical climate reconstructions through methods like tree-ring analysis and lake sediment cores. Skinner emphasizes that while climate change is a natural occurrence, the current rate of change combined with human interventions presents unique challenges. Replete with illustrative examples, photographs, and insights from various regions, this video provides a thorough understanding of the evolution of our forests, the increasing length of fire seasons, and the importance of informed management practices for the future.

Join us for an enlightening journey through time, forests, and the ever-changing dynamics between fire and climate.