Transforming wildfire storytelling
- tharry4
- Nov 1, 2024
- 1 min read
This presentation outlines a new approach to wildfire storytelling that focuses on human-centered narratives, aiming to counteract misinformation and build trust with the public. The shift goes beyond traditional updates and incorporates a wider context that includes fire ecology, history, climate change, technology, and community impacts.
Jean Strong (BC Wildfire Service) and Haley Ritchie (Yukon Wildland Fire Management) are leading efforts to modernize wildfire communication. For instance, BC Wildfire Service expanded its team in 2022 to include videographers, resulting in popular video updates that foster agency transparency through seasonal summaries and behind-the-scenes insights. The Yukon’s team transformed their annual report, Fireline, into a glossy, accessible magazine, and encouraged crews to contribute photos through monthly contests.
Their presentation emphasizes strategies to tell meaningful wildfire stories, reduce jargon, and connect with people, whether working independently or within agencies. These efforts meet people where they are, aiming to demystify fire response and operations. For example, simple videos explain firefighting processes like wind direction, smoke effects, and prescribed burns. This approach also helps engage youth and women by showing the diverse roles within wildfire response.
Building connections with First Nations and fire crews is key to capturing authentic experiences. By visiting camps and conducting interviews, they gather firsthand accounts to share with the public, creating videos that deepen understanding at all levels.
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