The Basics of Fire Ecology

Learn about the role of fire in our ecosystem and management methods.

Did you know that the pine forests of Central Oregon depend on fire to be healthy and resilient? In this presentation, join Discover Your Forest and the Deschutes National Forest in examining the role of fire in this ecosystem, what influences spread and intensity, and how forest management methods, including prescribed burning, can be used to maintain ecosystem health.

Emily Curtis is the Wildland Fire Education Coordinator for Discover Your Forest, working closely with the Deschutes National Forest and other local, county, state, and federal agencies to coordinate public outreach and education programs on fire science associated with forest restoration and wildland fire risk reduction. Before joining Discover Your Forest, Emily worked for the Forest Service on the Siuslaw, Mt. Hood, and Deschutes National Forests. In addition to her fascination with fire on the landscape, Emily is keenly interested in the relationship between natural processes and social systems.

Jaimie Olle is a public affairs specialist with the Deshutes National Forest.  She started her career with the U.S. Forest Service a decade ago as a wildland firefighter on the Umpqua National Forest. After a couple of seasons she moved to the Deschutes National Forest where she has worked in various roles including recreation, visitor services and special uses and for the past three years as a public affairs specialist. One of the best parts of her job is supporting prescribed burning communications and implementation across the forest. When she’s not working you can find her exploring our fire-dependent ecosystem with her husband and dog, curled up with a good book or sliding down volcanoes on her snowboard.

Discover Your Forest is a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the discovery of the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland by enriching the experience of visitors, building community support, and creating the next generation of environmental stewards. Learn more at https://discoveryourforest.org/