For more than a century, the federal government has waged war on wildland and forest fires, spreading the narrative that fires destroy forests and the wildlife that live there. But through decades of research, experience, and insights into the values of severe fires, Dick Hutto has challenged conventional wisdom by revealing the hidden beauty and ecological importance of severely burned forests. In his new book A Beautifully Burned Forest: Learning to Celebrate Severe Forest Fire, he uncovers one of nature’s best-kept secrets: numerous species—including the black-backed woodpecker and the morel mushroom—thrive in conditions created only by intense wildfires. These and many other fire-dependent organisms have evolved to flourish in charred landscapes, a fact often overlooked by birdwatchers, land managers, and even fire researchers. In this webcast, Hutto brings these special forests to life, offering a fresh perspective on fire’s role in maintaining biodiversity and inviting us to consider how revised land management practices could benefit us all. Defending natural fire-shaped ecosystems and fire recovery is also a part of Oregon Wild’s work. In this webcast, we talk about how some of the burned forests in Oregon’s wild places are recovering, how they are at risk, and what we can do to defend these natural habitats.
Webcast: Beautifully Burned Forests
