California's Wildfire Crisis Discussed at LA Times Festival of Books
At the LA Times Festival of Books, a panel titled 'Fire Escape: Wildfires and the Changing Geography of Southern California' was held to discuss the state's ongoing wildfire crisis. Moderated by climate reporter Blanca Beert, the panel featured authors Jordan Thomas and DJ Waldy. Thomas, a former hot shot firefighter, and Waldy, a cultural historian, shared insights from their respective books, 'When It All Burns' and 'Elements of Los Angeles'. The discussion highlighted how climate change exacerbates wildfires, but also emphasized the historical roots of the crisis in the suppression of indigenous land management practices. Thomas pointed out that the ecological role of fire has been neglected for over a century, leading to landscapes that are now highly susceptible to pests, droughts, and severe fires. Waldy stressed the importance of maintaining historical memory to prevent cultural erasure and to understand fire as a permanent aspect of the Los Angeles landscape. 
