About the Series
Learning to live with fire.
Can we coexist with wildfire?
In the summer of 2020, Colorado’s skies were choked with smoke and ash as wildfires raged across the West. But the biggest threats ignited closer to home. The East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires exploded into Colorado's largest wildfires, engulfing more than 400,000 acres.
These megafires challenged what we thought we knew about wildfire behavior – and our relationship with the land.
Looking north from Good Samaritan Estes Park Village at the Cameron Peak Fire working its way south. The rocks in the foreground are the Mummy Range, just north of Estes Park. (Credit: David Wolf / Estes Valley Fire Protection District)
The East Troublesome Fire paints the sky orange above Estes Park in late October 2020 (Credit: David Wolf / Estes Valley Fire Protection District)
Fire has devastating power, but it’s also a necessary part of our ecosystems.
United by Fire takes you inside that harrowing season through the voices of those who witnessed it firsthand. Hear from firefighters and residents who found themselves in the path of the flames, as well as ecologists, land managers, community planners and entrepreneurs who are working to build a more wildfire-resilient future.
We'll unpack what led up to that catastrophic year and what we’ve learned since, from our land management strategies to what it means to protect what we love.
Forging a new wildfire paradigm.
Learn how climate change and human behavior are driving these unprecedented ecological events – and why we have to rethink the way we live in world that’s burning hotter and faster than ever.
United by Fire challenges us to rethink our landscapes, our communities and ourselves.
Behind the scenes of United by Fire
Production season for our Laws of Notion podcast is a year-round activity for the Institute Team. This season we kicked off on January 1 and kept up a steady pace. We hiked or flew over burn scars, donned protective gear and walked through a prescribed burn operation, stood on a berm watching sediment filter out of our waterways, and saw new growth coming up among the blackened landscape -- giving us glimpses of hope. We traveled over 1,600 miles across Colorado to listen to people's stories, visit them in their homes, and learn about the role of fire in our state.
We follow the story wherever it takes us.
Season 4 proved to be a complex subject with many angles to focus on, which meant a ton of interviews. We interviewed more than 40 people, not to mention the countless others who spoke with us to provide context and connections.
In addition to putting together a compelling story, the Institute Team collected photos, videos, research, and other resources. We have an original theme song, by musician Ryan Flores, and collaborated with many videographers to gather additional footage. We also work closely with a thoughtful sound designer, Seth Samuel, who helps bring the story to life with music and sound effects.
Happy Listening!
