

The rise of highly destructive megafires -- wildfires over 100,000 acres -- has become one of today's most pressing and complex problems. Our communities, homes, businesses and even our very way of life are threatened by them. Facing the reality of this issue can be nothing short of daunting. But like all wicked problems, through education we can change the way fire comes to our forests and communities.
The Era of Megafires is a 60-minute multi-media presentation that combines the research of Dr. Paul Hessburg (Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service) with the visual storytelling of award-winning film company, North 40 Productions. Designed to engage a wide-audience, the presented material comes in the form of fast-moving, short, topic-based talks interspersed with compelling video vignettes and animations, and features the work of wildfire photographer, John Marshall. The Era of Megafires will inform, engage and inspire audiences, as well as provide an effective educational tool for organizations who are working tirelessly to improve the wildfire situation.
“THIS PRESENTATION WILL REVOLUTIONIZE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PROBLEM.”
— SUSAN KASPARI, PHD, CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
“THE ERA OF MEGAFIRES CLEARLY HAS A UNIQUELY-EFFECTIVE ABILITY TO ENGAGE AND INFORM OUR COMMUNITIES ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES...”
— BOB BUGERT, CHELAN DOUGLAS COUNTY LANDTRUST
“ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY ON ISSUES AROUND FOREST RESTORATION AND FIRE.”
— NICOLE STRONG, FORESTRY EXTENSION AGENT, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Download a digital copy of Paul's complete presentation for your own event.
Are you part of an educational institution? A digital download or DVD of Paul's presentation is now available through Tugg Edu.
“A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO THE WILDFIRE CHALLENGES WE FACE... [AND] A CALL TO ACTION THAT INVITES EVERYONE TO TAKE OWNERSHIP IN DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS.”
— RUFUS WOODS, PUBLISHER OF THE WENATCHEE WORLD
“...A MUST SEE.”
— SUSAN KASPARI, PHD, CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
“THIS PRESENTATION TELLS US HOW WE GOT WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.”
— GARY MARSHALL, NFPA STATE FIREWISE LIASON FOR OREGON