J. Bradley Washa, an Assistant Professor of Wildland Science from Utah State University, presented on the topic of living with wildland fire in the Wasatch Back. The event took place at the Park City Library community room on Monday, June 30.
The presentation addressed the increasing impact of devastating wildfires across the United States, citing examples such as the Los Angeles Basin, Lahaina, and the Marshall Fire in Boulder, Colorado.
While Park City had not experienced recent damage from a wildfire event at the time of the presentation, Washa noted that local fires like the 2021 Parleys Canyon Fire and the 2024 Yellow Lake Fire demonstrate that the region exists within a wildfire-dependent ecosystem. The presentation highlighted the ongoing efforts required to address these threats around Summit County.
Washa demonstrated parallels and differences between local wildfire events and those occurring elsewhere, including the 2016 Fort McMurray Fire in Alberta. This international fire was noted as a point of interest due to its connection to the One Book One Community selection, Fire Weather by John Vaillant.
