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Guy Kawasaki interviews Stephen Pyne, an expert on the history and management of fire. Stephen's career has been dedicated to understanding the complex relationship between humanity and landscape fire. After working as a firefighter at the Grand Canyon, he pursued graduate studies and wrote a groundbreaking book called 'Fire in America' in 1982. This ignited Stephen's lifelong mission to document the history of fire across cultures and advocate for its ecological importance. Now retired, Stephen continues to write and reflect on fire from his urban farm in Arizona. Guy and Stephen reminisce about their time at Stanford, with Stephen sharing how his passion for fire led him to a fulfilling career. Initially, fire was not a national concern and was seen as a natural occurrence. However, Stephen's fascination with fire persisted, even when there were limited career opportunities in the field. Despite the challenges, Stephen found joy and fulfillment in studying fire, and his dedication has contributed to a greater understanding of its significance. Stephen discusses the changing nature of fires and the factors that contribute to their transformation. He explains that fires are now capable of creating pyrocumulus clouds, which were once rare but have become more common. Pyne attributes this change to various factors, including climate change, fire suppression policies, and land use practices. He compares fire to a driverless car, integrating all the information around it to determine its direction and character. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the local conditions that influence fires, as solutions that work in one area may not be effective in another. Pyne also highlights the historical context of fire in America, noting that mega fires were prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to an abundance of fuel from logging and land clearing. Overall, Pyne's insights shed light on the complex dynamics of fires and the need for comprehensive approaches to fire management.
Guy Kawasaki interviews Stephen Pyne, an expert on the history and management of fire. Stephen's car