018 Encore: Managing the Wildland— Strategies for Protecting Private Lands from Mega Fires with Algeo Che Casul

How to Disaster

“You do have to bring in some science and some education. But there is something that people who have this generational knowledge can teach.” -Algeo Che Casul

Episode Description:

Mega fires pose a grave threat to private lands across California in the era of climate change. As hotter, drier conditions fuel larger and more destructive wildfires, the majority of wildlands that surround communities remain in private ownership. Adopting ecologically-minded stewardship techniques is necessary to not only protect personal property but also safeguard surrounding communities from the devastation of mega-fires.

In this episode, Jennifer interviews Algeo Che Casul, a seventh-generation rancher in Sonoma County. In addition to operating his ranch, Che runs the local nonprofit Circuit Rider Community Services which teaches at-risk youth ecological land management practices through paid vocational programs.

Tune in as Jennifer and Che discuss effective practices to mitigate mega-fires, the benefits and challenges of these stewardship techniques, invasive species impacting the landscape, strategies to build more fire-resilient communities, as well as helpful insights into balancing fire safety, sustainability, and equity concerns as climate change drives larger wildland fires.

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Highlights:

05:28 Prescribed Fires

11:08 Education for Land Treatment

15:23 The Grazers Controversy and Responsible Land Stewardship

24:01 Wildfires and Their Impacts on Residents

27:26 Resiliency Practices

30:45 Priority Checklist

36:19 Fire Forward

41:16 Energy and Equity

45:20 Generational Sustainability