Rising from the Ashes: Wildfire Resilience for Los Angeles

In the face of devastating wildfires, Los Angeles is grappling with the urgent need for wildfire resilience and sustainable development. On this episode of Eco Justice Radio, host Jack Eidt delves into the complexities of wildfire management and community preparedness with two insightful guests—Rick Halsey of the California Chaparral Institute and indigenous activist Lydia Ponce.

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Rising from the Ashes: Wildfire Resilience for Los Angeles and Beyond

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Fires, Fears, and the Future of Los Angeles

In this episode, host Jack Eidt discusses the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles and strategies for resilience with experts Richard Halsey and Lydia Poncé. We also include a clip on the climatic influence from Dr. Daniel Swain from UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.

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Richard Halsey, director of the California Chaparral Institute [https://californiachaparral.org/index.html], a leading expert on the chaparral ecosystem, offers a critical perspective on current fire management strategies. He argues that instead of focusing on clearing natural habitats, efforts should be directed towards hardening homes and communities to coexist safely with the surrounding environment. Halsey emphasizes the importance of understanding and preserving the chaparral, a unique plant community indigenous to Southern California, which is often misunderstood and unfairly labeled as mere “fuel” for fires. He advocates for strategic fire management that respects the ecological balance and supports biodiversity.

STORY: Defensible Space: My Wildfire-Appropriate Retrofit Journey

Community Resilience and the Indigenous Perspective

Indigenous activist Lydia Poncé brings a powerful voice to the conversation, highlighting the role of community resilience and mutual aid in the aftermath of wildfires. As a water protector with a long history of Indigenous-centered Indigenous activism,

Lydia underscores the need for a collective response rooted in compassion and solidarity. She stresses the importance of supporting one another and building a network of care that transcends economic and social barriers. Lydia also calls for a reevaluation of development practices, urging for responsible urban planning that respects Indigenous knowledge and the natural landscape.

We delve into the socio-political dynamics affecting relief efforts and the role of big corporations in the aftermath. Join us as we explore how to rebuild with compassion and foresight, as well as a comprehensive look at wildfire resilience and the role of Indigenous stewardship in preserving our ecosystems.

EcoJustice Radio · Rising from the Ashes: Wildfire Resilience for Los Angeles and Beyond

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Resources

California Chaparral Institute Statement on the Fires: https://chaparralwisdom.org/2025/01/10/how-to-respond-to-the-recent-wildfires/

Full interview with Richard Halsey: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/chaparral-californias-misunderstood-biodiversity-hotspot/

Advocacy: https://wilderutopia.com/environment/confronting-wildfire-retrofit-communities-not-forests/

Lever News Discussion on Preventing Wildfires, including quotes from Jack Eidt: https://www.levernews.com/the-architects-of-l-a-s-wildfire-devastation/

Richard Halsey is the Director of the California Chaparral Institute, a non-profit, research and educational organization dedicated to the preservation of California’s native chaparral ecosystem and supporting the creative spirit as inspired by Nature. Mr. Halsey works with the San Diego Museum of Natural History and teaches natural history throughout the state. The second edition of his book, Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California, was published in 2008.

Lydia Poncé (Mayo/Quechua) is an Indigenous Activist, Water Protector, co-founder of Idle No More SoCal. She hosts a show called Be a Better Relative on KPFK Los Angeles.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes a column on PBS SoCal called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.