[MCN] George Wuerthner to discuss wildfire ecology and management policy Oct. 26 in Hamilton

[Jim Coefield]

Forwarded From: "Larry Campbell" <lcampbell at bitterroot.net>

Bitterrooters for Planning will host photographer, writer and ecologist George Wuerthner for a discussion of wildfire ecology and management policy at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Bedfod Building in Hamilton.

Wuerthner, the ecological projects director at Foundation for Deep Ecology, has authored over two dozen books on wildfires, natural history and the environment. He has visited more than 380 wilderness areas, nearly 200 national parks and every national forest west of the Mississippi River.

Wuerthner will discuss wildfire management and how forest fires threaten homes in the wildland urban interface, including:

* Whether thinning and prescribed burns are really effective means of controlling wildfires

* Extreme weather conditions and how they foster intense wildfires

* How houses threatened by wildfire put out more heat than forest fires

* How to best protect your home from wildfire by reducing the flammability of the area immediately surrounding the structure – not by logging the forest

Following the smoky summer in the Bitterroot Valley, this discussion will be a timely exploration of wildfire’s potential impact on forest ecosystems, wildlife, air quality, recreational opportunities in valuable wild areas and your  home. 

The event is free and open to the public. The Bedford Building is located at 223 S. 2nd St. in Hamilton.

For more information, visit Bitterrooters for Planning on Facebook.

Bitterrooters for Planning is a non-profit community organization that advocates for protection and stewardship of our living landscape.