For the final Idyllwild Conversation of the 2013-14 season, UC Riverside Professor of Fire Ecology Richard Minnich will talk about forest conditions that exacerbate wildfire risk. Showing photos of the Idyllwild area’s old-growth forests from 130 years ago, as well as from Baja Mexico’s mountains where fire suppression was not practiced until very recently, Minnich will present his hypothesis that this area’s “unnatural fuel loads” greatly increase fire risk.
The group also will explore strategies the community may adopt to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire on the Hill. Greg Rodriguez, district director for Rep. Raul Ruiz will join the event.
The public is invited to this free event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at the Caine Learning Center, 54385 Pine Crest Ave.
