We welcome guest speakers, Carly Phillips and Tim Carter to present and discuss the concerns Northern Arizona faces this fire season with COVID-19, climate impacts, and wildfires.

As the planet warms, the region continues to see climate change trends of rising temperatures, below average snowpack, drought, and increased grass crops from spring and winter rains acting as a fuel for wildfire. Unlike previous years, the collision of COVID-19 with the wildfire season has left us unable to prepare and made emergency management and fire-fighting practices riskier.

Although land and fire management has exacerbated wildfires, climate change has heightened the trend of larger fires. Northern Arizona is no stranger to severe wildfires. The 2018 Tinder Fire burned over 16,300 acres and 84 structures in a riparian zone with protected species. In 2019, the Museum Fire severely damaged the soil on the slopes of Elden Mountain, directly impacting neighborhoods. The Slide Fire in Sedona burned 22,000 acres in Oak Creek Canyon, costing over $10 million. We will never forget the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot lives lost in the Yarnell Hill Fire.

This is a Zoom meeting. Please click link to REGISTER HERE!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting and a reminder with the zoom link the day of the presentation.

This event is sponsored by the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, Union of Concerned Scientists, Elders Climate Lobby, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. This online presentation is free and will include opportunity for Q&A.