IGNITION Lighting Fires in a Burning World

M.R. O'Connor recalls her surprise when first hearing about controlled burns while visiting Australia, although there isn't much surprise in her voice as she narrates. The Brooklyn journalist got firsthand experience with the prescribed fires that help revitalize forests, joining crews around the U.S. Her narration is a bit rough, and listeners might get bogged down in the background information. However, listeners will feel her anxiety as she describes the puff of a failed controlled fire. O'Connor's recollections of awkwardly handling a fire hose and the smell of burning debris will resonate. Her admiration for the crews that work full-time with controlled burns comes through clearly. O'Connor's journey into the traditional method of keeping forests in good health might surprise listeners, too. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]