Scott Stephens, Professor of Fire Science, UC Berkeley



The mixed conifer forests within the devastating recent rim fire have changed drastically since 1911, with tree densities having increased 10 times and downed wood fuel loads five times. Wildfires under such conditions result in excessive tree death, which could negatively impact water quality. But managers at Yosemite National Park have been using a system of managed lightning fires for three decades that moderated fire behavior and will probably result in low damage to the Hetch Hechy watershed. New fire policy ideas include increased government funding to create large, resilient landscapes that could reduce tree death by 50 percent during wildfires. A warming climate might mean that we must learn to co-exist with fire, not see it as an enemy. Come learn what's being done to keep us safe and our forests healthy.

MLF: Humanities, Science and Technology, and Environment and Natural Resources

Location: SF Club Office

Time: 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program

Cost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students (with valid ID)

Program Organizer: George Hammond