Interesting, thank you. I first came across your newsletter when I was looking at fire in Australia, and there's a similar picture there with the relationship between fire in the landscape and indigenous Australians, over an even longer time period than America.
The history of California's landscapes and the impact of fire suppression are deeply intertwined, as this insightful post illustrates. It's crucial to acknowledge the role of Indigenous land management practices and the consequences of colonialism in shaping the environment we see today. As we grapple with the challenges of wildfires, it's essential to recognize the wisdom of Indigenous stewardship and seek sustainable solutions. Kudos to the author for shedding light on this important issue
My grandmother was at least a third generation native Mendocino Redwoods girl. Her family roots included some hardy New York German immigrants and a bunch of Boston Brahmins - one of whom rode with Paul Revere. Needless to say she and my grandfather who had made it cross country to San Francisco in 1910 after spending from age 13-24 in the coal mines were an independent bunch. As a fifth generation Californian I share a deep connection with wild land fires. Our family has escaped from many wild land fires before becoming refugees to the forests and rivers of Tennessee. My love for California and it’s wild lands goes deep and my understanding of fire ecology and behavior is central. Isn’t the current propensity for these wild land fires connected to the fact that the Native peoples no longer inhabit or help control the ecology with control burns? Isn’t it also a part of “weather management” insanity and the fact of severe climatological change? In my grandparents day I believe rain was more of an issue than fire. See poet Gary Snyder on fire ecology.
Super response. Will check out your concerns. Thanks.
Shared this in my newsletter Eulipion Outpost at jeanvengua.substack.com Really interesting and much needed.
Interesting, thank you. I first came across your newsletter when I was looking at fire in Australia, and there's a similar picture there with the relationship between fire in the landscape and indigenous Australians, over an even longer time period than America.
The history of California's landscapes and the impact of fire suppression are deeply intertwined, as this insightful post illustrates. It's crucial to acknowledge the role of Indigenous land management practices and the consequences of colonialism in shaping the environment we see today. As we grapple with the challenges of wildfires, it's essential to recognize the wisdom of Indigenous stewardship and seek sustainable solutions. Kudos to the author for shedding light on this important issue
My grandmother was at least a third generation native Mendocino Redwoods girl. Her family roots included some hardy New York German immigrants and a bunch of Boston Brahmins - one of whom rode with Paul Revere. Needless to say she and my grandfather who had made it cross country to San Francisco in 1910 after spending from age 13-24 in the coal mines were an independent bunch. As a fifth generation Californian I share a deep connection with wild land fires. Our family has escaped from many wild land fires before becoming refugees to the forests and rivers of Tennessee. My love for California and it’s wild lands goes deep and my understanding of fire ecology and behavior is central. Isn’t the current propensity for these wild land fires connected to the fact that the Native peoples no longer inhabit or help control the ecology with control burns? Isn’t it also a part of “weather management” insanity and the fact of severe climatological change? In my grandparents day I believe rain was more of an issue than fire. See poet Gary Snyder on fire ecology.