Timo Rova on 30 Years in Fire, Living off the Land, and Coming Home to Northern Minnesota| Episode 8

In this episode of the Carrying the Fire podcast, retired USFS Smokejumper and Forest Management Officer (FMO) Timo Rova joins the show from northern Minnesota to share hard-earned wisdom on wildland firefighting, forest ecology, and living off the land in the Boundary Waters region. Timo dives deep into the fire-dependent ecosystems of the North Woods, explaining how a century of fire suppression and native spruce budworm outbreaks have set the stage for modern catastrophic blazes. He explains the differences in firefighting tactics in the diverse American forests and grasslands, and describes his challenges in transitioning from an adrenaline-charged smokejumper with an extraordinary brother-and sisterhood of skilled firefighters to navigating an ill-funded and increasingly risk averse US Forest Service in his late career.  The conversation also explores traditional skills from gathering wild rice and hunting from a canoe to foraging and harvesting medicinals like chaga. Come join us for a wide-ranging and dynamic conversation that ranges into the future of rural economies, foreign mining interests in the Boundary Waters, and the vital importance of mentoring the next generation in outdoor skills and self-reliance. Book List The Falcon by John Tanner Singing Wilderness by Sigurd Olson  Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford Ashley The Shipping News by Annie Proulx - A novel that was highly inspired by the Ashley Book of Knots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices