One Indigenous man's mission to change how the Forest Service thinks about fire - Climate Connections

Summary3 min read

Episode Summary

Podcast: Climate Connections
Episode: One Indigenous man's mission to change how the Forest Service thinks about fire
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz
Guest: Ryan Reed (Karuk, Hupa, and Yurok tribes; wildland firefighter; co-founder, Fire Generation Collaborative)
Date: June 23, 2026

Main Theme

This episode spotlights Ryan Reed, an Indigenous advocate and wildland firefighter from California, on his work to transform how the U.S. Forest Service and broader public understand and use fire. The focus is on reclaiming traditional Indigenous fire practices to better manage the land, prevent catastrophic wildfires, and foster climate resilience.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Historical Suppression of Indigenous Fire Practices
- Dr. Leiserowitz sets the context, describing how Ryan Reed learned about the centuries-old practice of intentional burning used by his Karuk, Hupa, and Yurok ancestors to maintain ecosystem health.
  - Quote:
    - Dr. Leiserowitz [00:01]: “Ryan Reed is from the Karuk, Hupa and Yurok tribes in California. Growing up, he learned how his people long used intentional fire to keep landscapes healthy.”
- Reed remarks on restrictions placed on these practices:
  - Quote:
    - Ryan Reed [00:16]: “But we were never able to actually go out and do those things.”
Legacy of Fire Suppression and Climate Change
- Dr. Leiserowitz explains that fire suppression policies, starting in the early 1900s, banned these Indigenous practices, leaving forests overgrown and more susceptible to intense wildfires, especially as the climate warms.
  - [00:20–00:40]: “States and the Forest Service began mandating that all fires be suppressed, effectively outlawing indigenous fire practices... Many areas are overgrown with trees and brush that fuel severe fires, and the risks are growing as the climate warms.”
Ryan Reed’s Journey
- The catastrophic 2020 wildfire near Reed’s home propelled him to join the Forest Service as a wildland firefighter for four summers.
- Identity Tension: Reed describes the contradiction between working for an agency with a history of marginalizing Native people, and his desire to serve his community.
  - Quote:
    - Ryan Reed [00:54]: “...fighting fire for an agency that have historically marginalized and oppressed my people.”
Action for the Future: Fire Generation Collaborative
- Reed has shifted from just responding to fires to addressing their root cause.
  - He co-founded the Fire Generation Collaborative, a youth-led group that:
    - Educates the public on the ecological benefits of fire
    - Advocates for adopting Indigenous land management strategies
    - Aims to build resilience against future climate-driven wildfire threats
  - [01:00–01:16]: “He wanted to help keep people safe, and now he's tackling the root of the problem by... educating people on the beneficial uses of fire and advocates for indigenous land management practices to build a more resilient future for all.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Prohibited Practices:
- Ryan Reed [00:16]: “But we were never able to actually go out and do those things.”
On Working for the Forest Service:
- Ryan Reed [00:54]: “...fighting fire for an agency that have historically marginalized and oppressed my people.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:01–00:20 — Ryan Reed’s Indigenous roots and ancestral fire knowledge
00:20–00:40 — The suppression of traditional fire; consequences amid climate change
00:40–00:59 — Reed’s experience becoming a firefighter; the personal and historical contradictions
01:00–01:16 — Founding and mission of Fire Generation Collaborative; vision for resilient, fire-adapted landscapes

Takeaways

Traditional Indigenous fire stewardship, once criminalized, is essential for ecosystem health and is gaining renewed relevance in the era of climate change.
Reed’s personal journey illustrates both the pain of lost traditions and the promise of cultural resurgence and leadership among youth.
Collaborative, community-led efforts like Fire Generation Collaborative can bridge historic divides to build resilient, climate-adapted futures.

For more on climate action and similar inspiring stories: climateconnections.org

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Transcript5 lines

[00:02]
A
I'm Dr. Anthony Lisewitz and this is Climate Connections. Ryan Reed is from the Karuk, Hupa and Yurok tribes in California. Growing up, he learned how his people long used intentional fire to keep landscapes healthy.
[00:17]
B
But we were never able to actually go out and do those things.
[00:21]
A
In the early 1900s, states and the Forest Service began mandating that all fires be suppressed, effectively outlawing indigenous fire practices. The Forest Service has since reversed those policies, but their legacy remains. Many areas are overgrown with trees and brush that fuel severe fires, and the risks are growing as the climate warms. In 2020, after a deadly wildfire near his home, Reed became a wildland firefighter with the Forest Service, a job he held for four summers. He says at times it felt contradictory,
[00:54]
B
fighting fire for an agency that have historically marginalized and oppressed my people.
[00:59]
A
But he wanted to help keep people safe, and now he's tackling the root of the problem by helping reduce the risk of intense fires. He co founded Fire Generation Collaborative, a youth led organization. The group educates people on the beneficial uses of fire and advocates for indigenous land management practices to build a more resilient future for all. Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.