Upcoming Virtual Event:
Wildfire and Wildfire Smoke
Effects on Ecosystems, Agricultural Workers, Horses, and Wine Grapes
Meeting of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 from 10:00am - 3:00pm Eastern Time
Record warmth and drought helped fuel a deadly wildfire season in 2020 that destroyed more than 8 million acres across many Western states. In addition to loss of life and property, the fires and smoke they produced have a wide range of impacts on ecosystems, human health, and agricultural products and animals. The Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR) invites you to attend a series of sessions that explore the effects of wildfire and wildfire smoke.
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Session I at 10 - 11:30AM ET
The Past and Future Ecological Effects of Wildfire
- Philip Higuera, Associate Professor of Fire Ecology, Montana State University
Wildfires have been traditionally viewed as a standard part of ecological cycles, but increases in the frequency and severity of major wildfires demands a second look at potentially irreversible consequences for forest ecologies. Is restoration even possible and if so, what should be the goals? Join Philip Higuera as he shares lessons from the past that can be used to inform future decision making.
Session II at 12 - 1:15PM ET
Double Jeopardy: Effects of Covid-19 and Wildfire Smoke on California Farmworkers
- Ken Pinkerton, Director, UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
- Heather Riden, Program Director, UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
Workers in agricultural and food production are undoubtedly essential. Already hard hit by COVID-19, farmworkers in Western states must also contend with the health impacts of wildfire smoke. This session will focus on the challenge of protecting laborers from two very distinct threats while enabling them to continue harvesting and processing food.
Session III at 1:30 - 3:00PM ET
Wildfire Smoke Effects on Wine Grapes
- Wesley Zandberg, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of British Columbia–Okanagan
The overlap of this year’s wildfire season with the grape harvest in California, Oregon and Washington put a spotlight of the effect of smoke on agricultural products. At high enough levels, smoke can impact the flavor of wine grapes and harm the bottom line for winemakers. Wesley Zandberg will take you through the science of aromas and flavors in wine and how winemakers are attempting to address smoke effects.
Effects of Wildfire Smoke on Horses and Livestock
- Jenifer R. Gold, Clinical Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University
Much like humans, smoke particulates can irritate the eyes and respiratory tracts of horses and livestock, and hamper their breathing. Jenifer Gold will describe the impact of smoke from this year’s record wildfires on the health of horses in the Pacific Northwest involved in racing, endurance, and other performance competitions.
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