B.C. is Burning. Can We Stop This? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 11, 2026 · 1H 46M

B.C. is Burning. Can We Stop This?

from Real Talk Ryan Jespersen · host Relay

More than 90 active wildfires are burning across British Columbia, with tens of thousands forced from their homes (many of which are destroyed). It's prompted a province-wide state of emergency, yet B.C.'s not alone. More than 300 wildfires are active across Canada as we record this conversation with award-winning environmental journalist Arno Kopecky (3:00), who lays out the reality of the situation, what it'll take to turn around the "wildfire season" trend, and the political implications of it all. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, AND YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 1:19:30 | Arno takes us into his reporting for Maclean's on B.C.'s Cowichan decision and what it means for property owners in the Lower Mainland and beyond. We wrap with touching insights on Alzheimer's and Dementia (1:36:10), which prompted Arno's National Magazine Award-winning essay for The Walrus.  ARNO'S PIECE on MARK CARNEY and CLIMATE CHANGE: https://thewalrus.ca/carney-endorses-pipeline/ ARNO'S COWICHAN PIECE: https://macleans.ca/longforms/richmond-cowichan-land-claim/ A SON, A SCIENTIST, and THE SECRET OF BIOLUMINESCENCE: https://thewalrus.ca/a-son-a-scientist-and-the-secret-of-bioluminescence/ OUR JUNE 2023 INTERVIEW with JOHN VAILLANT on A HOTTER, MORE FLAMMABLE WORLD: https://rtrj.info/062023JV OUR JULY 2026 INTERVIEW with BRANDI MORIN on ALBERTA SEPARATION and TREATY RIGHTS: https://rtrj.info/072426Brandi REAL TALK'S LIVE CHAT IS POWERED BY PARK POWER. SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ REAL TALK'S LIVE STREAM IS PRESENTED BY CALIFORNIA CLOSETS. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: https://californiaclosets.ca/ REAL TALK HIGHLIGHTS ARE PRESENTED BY KUBY ENERGY AND CANADIAN GREEN TECH, YOUR TRUSTED SOLAR PROVIDERS. LEARN MORE AT https://kuby.ca/ or in-store at Costco. SIGN UP for YEGplus, CANADA'S FIRST AIRPORT REWARDS PROGRAM: https://yegplus.com/realtalk SAVE 10% on ONLINE MEN'S CLOTHING PURCHASES at THE HELM with promo code REALTALK: https://thehelmclothing.com/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

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B.C. is Burning. Can We Stop This?

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