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Episode details

Radio 4,19 Jul 2024,53 mins

World on Fire

Rare Earth

Available for over a year

Is the rise in global wild fires unstoppable? Helen Czerski and Tom Heap discuss the terrifying march of the flames and search for fresh answers. They're joined by John Vaillant, author of the award-wining exploration of Canada's Fort McMurray disaster, 'Fire Weather' and by Dr Stacey New from the Met Office. Tom and Helen take a look at the ways in which indigenous knowledge is being applied to fire prevention in California and visit the Blodgett Research Forest where experts study the best ways to make America's threatened forests more resilient. They're also joined by Grant Moir of the Cairngorms National Park to discuss new by-laws banning campfires in the area. Do we need to restrict our freedom in the wilderness to protect it for the future? Producer: Alasdair Cross

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