How to Beat Megafires episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 7, 2025 · 58 MIN

How to Beat Megafires

from Statecraft · host Santi Ruiz

What happened in LA last month? On that, basically everyone agrees: devastating wildfires that killed at least 29 people and cost at least $100 billion.But why did those fires burn so intensely for so long? I had my own view, but I don’t follow fires closely. So I talked to Matt Weiner, CEO and founder of Megafire Action.We discuss:* California knows it has a fire problem. Why can’t it control it?* Where does mechanical thinning work, and where doesn’t it?* What tools from the Department of Defense should we be using in firefighting?* Do we need more money to fight fires?* Why do the country’s biggest environmental groups oppose fire mitigation?For the full transcript of this conversation and others, visit www.statecraft.pub. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub

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How to Beat Megafires

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This episode was published on February 7, 2025.

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What happened in LA last month? On that, basically everyone agrees: devastating wildfires that killed at least 29 people and cost at least $100 billion.But why did those fires burn so intensely for so long? I had my own view, but I don’t follow...

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