Why California and the West Coast Keep Burning: A Wildfire Expert Explains episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 1, 2025 · 58 MIN

Why California and the West Coast Keep Burning: A Wildfire Expert Explains

from The National Land Podcast · host National Land Realty

Wildfire seasons are no longer seasonal; they’re year-round. In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian is joined by wildfire operations expert Terry Severson to dissect the catastrophic wildfire crisis gripping the West Coast. From California’s explosive wildfires to Oregon’s yearly burn cycles, they expose the uncomfortable truths behind fire mismanagement, fire exclusion policies, and why prescribed burns are both a solution and a risk. Severson, a veteran of federal fire management and international fire strategy, breaks down: Why California wildfires keep getting worse How 100+ years of fire suppression led to today's megafires Why fire crews are underfunded and under fire, literally The role of climate change in fire seasons that never end How public resistance to smoke and land ordinances is fueling the problem The terrifying reality of crown fires and fire-generated weather systems Why invasive species like cheatgrass are making wildfires unmanageable This is essential listening for anyone living in wildfire zones, looking for land for sale in California or Oregon, or trying to understand the truth about wildland fire science and policy.   National Interagency Fire Center https://www.nifc.gov/   Track wildfires near you https://app.watchduty.org   Start your land journey. Buy, sell, lease, or auction land.  https://www.nationalland.com     

Wildfire seasons are no longer seasonal; they’re year-round. In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian is joined by wildfire operations expert Terry Severson to dissect the catastrophic wildfire crisis gripping the West Coast. From California’s explosive wildfires to Oregon’s yearly burn cycles, they expose the uncomfortable truths behind fire mismanagement, fire exclusion policies, and why prescribed burns are both a solution and a risk. Severson, a veteran of federal fire management and international fire strategy, breaks down: Why California wildfires keep getting worse How 100+ years of fire suppression led to today's megafires Why fire crews are underfunded and under fire, literally The role of climate change in fire seasons that never end How public resistance to smoke and land ordinances is fueling the problem The terrifying reality of crown fires and fire-generated weather systems Why invasive species like cheatgrass are making wildfires unmanageable This is essential listening for anyone living in wildfire zones, looking for land for sale in California or Oregon, or trying to understand the truth about wildland fire science and policy.   National Interagency Fire Center https://www.nifc.gov/   Track wildfires near you https://app.watchduty.org   Start your land journey. Buy, sell, lease, or auction land.  https://www.nationalland.com

NOW PLAYING

Why California and the West Coast Keep Burning: A Wildfire Expert Explains

0:00 58:38

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The National Land Podcast?

This episode is 58 minutes long.

When was this The National Land Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on August 1, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Wildfire seasons are no longer seasonal; they’re year-round. In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian is joined by wildfire operations expert Terry Severson to dissect the catastrophic wildfire crisis gripping the West Coast....

Can I download this The National Land Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!