“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.

Connect with After The Fire USA:

Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildNorthBay/

X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

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

“Don't expect to go through it yourself. People will want to help, ask for it. And then when you get through your disaster, pay it forward.” -Margie Foster

Episode Description:

When catastrophe strikes, it falls to ordinary citizens to come together, support each other, and lead the recovery efforts from the ground up. And in these moments, they also discover inner strength and resilience within themselves and their community. By banding together through difficult times, they can help rebuild and renew their town stronger than before.

Margie Foster, a longtime resident of Glen Ellen, shares her first-hand experience of evacuating from the Tubbs Fire and the emotional toll it took on her tight-knit community. She discusses the frustration of the slow rebuilding process in the first year, the challenges of mitigating fire-damaged land, how she helped coordinate a local rehousing initiative and secure funding to support fire survivors.

Join in as Jennifer and Margie reflect on the importance of “neighbor helping neighbor” in times of crisis and valuable lessons on community preparedness, the emotional toll of disaster, and innovative ways citizens can lead recovery efforts through connectivity and grassroots organization.

Connect with After The Fire USA:

Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildNorthBay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

03:59 Surviving the Devastating Fire

10:22 Disaster Preparedness and Community Response

17:57 Rehousing Initiatives

23:08 Disaster Relief Efforts and Community Resilience

29:09 Rebuilding Challenges

33:04 Recovery and Emergent Leadership

"Be prepared so you can help, because everyone needs everybody in this situation." -Joshua Farrell

Preparation isn't just about survival— it's about having the capacity to help others. Our ability to lend a hand can significantly ease the burden and contribute to a faster recovery for the entire community.

In the previous episode, we covered the basics of individual disaster preparedness with citizen prepper, Josh Farrell. This week, Josh continues unpacking the contents of his go bag, sharing additional items that can help us transition from basic preparedness to a more proactive role.

Stay tuned as Jennifer and Josh cover communication and respiration needs to stay connected when infrastructure fails, rations and essentials to keep us fueled until assistance arrives, building necessities that allow innovative solutions in dire straits, pets necessities to reduce their anxiety during disaster, clothing, disinfection, and navigation supplies to keep us healthy on the move, and power supplies to ensure we can keep our lines open to coordinate relief efforts.

Connect with After The Fire USA:

Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildNorthBay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

02:06 Check #1- Communication and Respiration

07:41 Check #2- Rations and Essentials

17:38 Check #3- Building Necessities

23:20 Check #4- Shelter and Pets and Sunblock?

39:44 Check #5-Clothing, Disinfection, and Navigation

36:07 How Heavy?

39:16 Check #6- Power Supply

43:04 Prepared to Help