Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids
Episode: Understanding Big Fires and Big Feelings
Host: Molly Bloom
Release Date: January 14, 2025
In this poignant and informative episode of Brains On!, host Molly Bloom delves into the critical topics of wildfires and the complex emotions they evoke, particularly focusing on the devastating fires raging in Los Angeles County as of January 2025. Tailored for both curious kids and adults, the episode seamlessly blends personal narratives, expert insights, and scientific explanations to provide a comprehensive understanding of wildfires and their broader implications.
1. The Impact of Los Angeles County Wildfires [00:00–02:10]
Molly Bloom opens the episode by setting the scene amid several active wildfires in Los Angeles County, emphasizing the region's vast population of nearly 10 million people. She explains the severe consequences, including the destruction of homes, businesses, schools, and the pervasive presence of smoke and ash in the air. Highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis, Molly notes:
"In Los Angeles county, many buildings have burned, including homes, businesses and schools. Lots of people have had to evacuate, meaning they can't stay in their homes."
— Molly Bloom [00:00]
2. Personal Stories: Sandon Totten's Experience [02:10–08:05]
Sandon Totten, a kid co-host and former science reporter residing in Los Angeles, shares his firsthand experience with the wildfires. He describes the emotional turbulence caused by evacuating his home with his family and witnessing the destruction around him. Sandon's evocative metaphor captures his inner turmoil:
"It's like a weird mixture... my belly feels like... weird thoughts keep popping in my head and scary ideas."
— Sandon Totten [02:10]
Reflecting on his background in science reporting, Sandon contrasts his previous detached reporting with the current reality of living through the fires:
"Climate change is not something in the future. It's here, it's happening now."
— Sandon Totten [03:38]
He emphasizes the importance of community support and resilience, offering heartfelt messages to listeners affected by the fires:
"We care about you all and we really want you to feel safe... We'll get through this. We got it. You got this."
— Sandon Totten [06:49]
3. Navigating Emotions: Insights from Psychotherapist Caroline Hickman [09:00–14:44]
Producer Rosie Dupont introduces psychotherapist Caroline Hickman, who provides valuable strategies for managing the intense emotions triggered by natural disasters like wildfires. Caroline underscores the importance of acknowledging one's feelings and seeking support:
"Don't get too upset if people don't properly understand how it feels for you. There will be people around you who do understand how it feels for you."
— Caroline Hickman [09:11]
She introduces a practical coping mechanism borrowed from scuba diving:
"Stop, breathe, think, act. Stop what you're doing because you'll get in more of a mess. Remember to breathe, start to think, then act."
— Caroline Hickman [10:00]
Addressing climate anxiety, Caroline encourages children to channel their concerns into positive actions:
"You should be proud that you care enough to have feelings about this because it shows that you care about the planet, you care about what's happening to other people around the world."
— Caroline Hickman [12:03]
4. Understanding Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality [14:44–17:25]
Shayla Farzahn, the show's editor, provides a scientific explanation of how wildfire smoke travels vast distances. She elucidates the process by which smoke is carried high into the atmosphere and dispersed by wind patterns:
"When a fire's burning, it's usually really hot, and that heat sends smoke high up into the air... smoke can go more than six miles up into the atmosphere and sometimes for thousands of miles."
— Shayla Farzahn [15:05]
Shayla also offers practical advice on dealing with smoky conditions:
"Smoke is not good for us to breathe. It can irritate our lungs, give us headaches, make us cough. So it's better to play inside when the air outside is smoky."
— Shayla Farzahn [16:54]
5. Historical Perspectives and Indigenous Practices [18:09–34:04]
The episode features excerpts from a 2021 installment that explores the historical relationship between indigenous communities and wildfire management. The Yurok people's storytelling illustrates the cultural significance of fire and traditional practices of controlled burning to maintain ecosystem balance. Margot Robbins, a Yurok community member, explains:
"Indigenous tribes carefully burn some of the land each year to keep ecosystems balanced... With less fuel, fires didn't get so big and they didn't travel so far."
— Margot Robbins [27:34]
Sasha Burlemann, a fire ecologist, discusses the decline of these practices following European colonization and the subsequent rise in large, uncontrollable wildfires:
"The forest isn't getting cleaned and it's just accumulating more and more trees, more and more downed vegetation... making forests more flammable and vulnerable."
— Unnamed Fire Ecologist [29:02]
6. Modern Fire Management Techniques [31:53–40:57]
Returning to the present, Sandon Totten elaborates on contemporary strategies employed to contain wildfires. The episode includes an interactive segment where listeners guess a "mystery sound," ultimately revealing the use of airplanes in deploying fire retardants. Sierra Farzahn explains the function and significance of the bright orange retardant:
"It's orange so firefighters can see where they dumped it. It helps them know where they need to put more or where they've already covered."
— Sierra Farzahn [37:18]
She details the chemical process by which fire retardants prevent fires from spreading:
"Ammonium phosphate... turns the woody material of the tree into an almost pure form of carbon. Pure carbon doesn't burn."
— Sierra Farzahn [39:02]
Additional fire containment methods include water bombing and creating firebreaks by removing vegetation:
"Firefighters can contain fires using retardants, water, and by removing potential fuel for the fire."
— Molly Bloom [41:24]
7. Key Takeaways and Resources [41:00–42:05]
As the episode concludes, Molly Bloom recaps the essential points discussed:
- Natural and Escalated Wildfires: Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems but are increasingly severe due to climate change.
- Prescribed Burns: Controlled burning practices help manage fuel loads, preventing larger, uncontrollable fires.
- Health Precautions: During smoky conditions, staying indoors and using air filters can mitigate health risks.
- Firefighting Techniques: Modern methods, including the use of fire retardants and water, alongside traditional firebreaks, are crucial in containing wildfires.
Molly directs listeners to additional resources and support avenues available on the Brains On! website:
"We have a series of episodes all about feelings that we've linked to in the show notes... at our website, brainson.org, we also have lots of links to other resources and ways you can help the people who've been affected by the wildfires in LA."
— Molly Bloom [14:01]
This episode of Brains On! masterfully intertwines emotional storytelling with scientific education, providing listeners with both the understanding and the support needed to navigate the challenges posed by wildfires. By highlighting personal experiences, expert advice, and historical context, the podcast fosters a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of how big fires impact both the environment and our emotional well-being.