Ashes to Action: Learning to Live with Wildfire

UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, in partnership with UBC Vancouver’s Faculty of Forestry, invites the community to attend a public presentation titled, Ashes to Action: Learning to Live with Wildfire.

About the talk:

When wildfire enters a community, it can leave behind a trail of destruction, devastation and loss.

In 2023, British Columbia experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, with more than two million hectares of land destroyed.

This community presentation will shed light on the profound impacts of wildfires and their tremendous cost to the BC population, emphasizing that recent fire seasons were not an anomaly but a new and escalating reality fueled by climate change.

Following the presentation, there will be a panel discussion and a Q&A session moderated by CBC’s Chris Walker.

The evening will close with a short reception in the lobby.

Speakers:

	Dr. Lori Daniels (Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, UBC Vancouver): As the inaugural Koerner Chair in Wildfire Coexistence at the University of British Columbia, Lori Daniels and their research team investigate the impacts of wildfire, forest dynamics, and social-ecological resilience to climate change across the diverse landscapes of British Columbia. Enduring partnerships with community forests, First Nations, multiple levels of government, environmental organizations and forest management companies ensures their scientific advances are translated to conservation, restoration and proactive management.
	Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais (Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, UBC Okanagan): Mathieu Bourbonnais leads the Earth Observation and Spatial Ecology Lab at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Mathieu and their research team work at the intersection of remote sensing and ecology. Informed by a decade of experience as a wildland firefighter with the Alberta Wildfire Rappel Program and Parks Canada, Mathieu explores the application of satellite technology for wildfire risk assessment, mitigation, detection and monitoring.
	Dr. Paul Hessburg (United States Forest Service): Dr. Paul Hessburg, a Research Landscape Ecologist at USDA Forest Service, PNWRS, has lead a team studying forest landscape management and disturbance regimes for over 42 years. His research focuses on climate change effects, wildfire resilience, and decision support tool development for landscape evaluation. Hessburg holds a PhD in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University and a BSc in Forestry from the University of Minnesota. He’s authored 200+ refereed articles and received the PNWRS and USDA-FS Chief’s Distinguished Scientist awards in 2017.
	Jason Brolund (West Kelowna Fire Chief): Jason Brolund transitioned from his role at the City of Kelowna’s fire department in March 2015 to assume the position of Chief at West Kelowna Fire Rescue, responsible for serving both the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation. He notably served as Fire Chief during the McDougall Creek wildfire incident in August 2023.
	Joe Gilchrist (Salish Fire Keepers Society): Joe Gilchrist is among 20 members of the expanding Interior Salish Firekeepers Society, and is contributing to a growing movement. Indigenous knowledge keepers and fire ecologists are reviving the traditional practice of controlled fires that help reduce fuel for wildfires where the land is dry.
	Chris Walker: Chris Walker is a veteran broadcaster known for his engaging interview style. Originally from Galiano Island off the BC coast, he has covered the BC Interior for almost 20 years, and has lived in Kelowna since 2010. He holds a graduate degree in journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, and has won national awards for feature reporting and commentary.

This public presentation is part of the Wildfire Coexistence in BC: Solutions Symposium, which brings together British Columbia’s leading wildfire experts and practitioners to highlight the urgent need to develop a transformative vision and implementation strategy for wildfires before it is too late.

This event is sponsored by Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions