Wildfire

4.4 (435)
WILDERNESS
SERIES

On September 2nd 2017, just east of Portland, Oregon, 150 hikers were trapped behind a wall of flames created by one mistake, one that would lead to immense fear and loss. Wildfire, a podcast from REI Co-op, investigates the causes and repercussions of this devastating wildfire.

EPISODE 1

Ep. 1: A Murder and a Fire

In December 1988, Brazilian environmentalist Chico Mendes was murdered at his home in the Amazon Rainforest. Chico was a rubber tapper who witnessed the destruction of the forest—of his home—and built a community both in Brazil and abroad to stop the devastation. For this, he was killed in cold blood. In episode one, hosts Graham Zimmerman and Jim Aikman set off to better understand the Brazilian Amazon. They explore both the politics and biology of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They also learn about the history of the conflict in the Brazilian Amazon and why someone like Chico Mendes risked his life to safe it. Episode sources: Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. The Fate of the Forest: Developers, Destroyers, and Defenders of the Amazon. University of Chicago Press, 2010.Revkin, Andrew. The Burning Season: the Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. Island Press, 2004.Pyne, Stephen J. Fire in America. Univ. of Washington Press, 1997.“I. Foster Brown.” Woodwell Climate, 2 Dec. 2020, www.woodwellclimate.org/staff/foster-brown/Shoumatoff, Alex. “Murder in the Rainforest.” Vanity Fair, 1989.Rodrigues, Gomercindo, et al. Walking the Forest with Chico Mendes: Struggle for Justice in the Amazon. University of Texas Press, 2007.Rabie, Passant. “NASA Satellites Confirm Amazon Rainforest Is Burning at a Record Rate.”Space.com, Space, 27 Aug. 2019, www.space.com/amazon-rainforest-fires-2019-nasa-satellite-views.html#:~:targetText=Firedetections by NASA's Moderate,over the world since 2003.Hoover, K., & Hanson, L. A. (2021, January 4). Retrieved January 28, 2021, from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/IF10244.pdfPasquali, Marina. “Number of Wildfires in Brazil 2020.” Statista, 14 Sept. 2020, www.statista.com/statistics/1041354/number-wildfires-brazil/.Templeton, Amelia. “Eagle Creek Fire Perpetrator Ordered To Pay $36.6 Million.” Opb, OPB, 2 June 2020, www.opb.org/news/article/eagle-creek-fire-wildfire-restitution-oregon-columbia-river-gorge/.Kloster, Tom. “After the Fire: A Closer Look (Part 2 of 2).” WyEast Blog, 28 Feb. 2018, wyeastblog.org/2018/02/27/after-the-fire-a-closer-look-part-2-of-2/.Borger, Julian, and Jonathan Watts. “G7 Leaders Agree Plan to Help Amazon Countries Fight Wildfires.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 26 Aug. 2019, www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/26/g7-leaders-agree-plan-to-help-amazon-countries-fight-wildfires.“Amazon Fires: Crisis Mobilization Update.” Rainforest Alliance, Rainforest Alliance, 8 Nov. 2019, www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/an-update-on-our-crisis-response-to-the-amazon-fires.“It's Okay to Be Smart.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 24 Oct. 2018, www.pbs.org/video/the-largest-river-on-earth-is-in-the-sky-ayxiyl/.Surui, Almir Narayamoga, et al. Save the Planet: An Amazonian Tribal Leader Fights for His People, The Rainforest, and the Earth. Editions Albin Michel, 2015.Mendes, Chico, et al. Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words. Latin America Bureau (Research and Action) Ltd, 1989. “Making a Difference : Chico Mendes . . .” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 1989, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-22-op-1186-story.html.

29 min
EPISODE 2

Ep. 2: The Man and the Forest

In the second episode, hosts Graham and Jim explore the origin story of Chico Mendes. They explore the past of the rubber trade in the Amazon, the rubber tappers' relationship with the forest, and their plight. More about the show: In the second season of Wildfire, we’re shifting our perspective from fires in the forests of the American west to those taking place in the Amazon rainforest alongside a story of violence and heroism. On December 22nd 1988 in the town of Xapuri, Brazil a man named Chico Mendes was shot and killed at his home. He was killed for trying to protect the rainforest from the fires that were burning at an increasing rate; fires that were turning one of the most complex ecosystems in the world into cow pastures. In this season of Wildfire, hosts Jim Aikman and Graham Zimmerman look into the story of Chico Mendes—who he was, what he was fighting for, and how his legacy lives on. It's a story filled with intrigue and violence but also hope, both for the Amazon and for humankind. This 6-part series is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Episode sources: Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. The Fate of the Forest: Developers, Destroyers, and Defenders of the Amazon. University of Chicago Press, 2010.Revkin, Andrew. The Burning Season: the Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. Island Press, 2004.Rodrigues, Gomercindo, et al. Walking the Forest with Chico Mendes: Struggle for Justice in the Amazon. University of Texas Press, 2007.Mendes, Chico, et al. Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words. Latin America Bureau (Research and Action) Ltd, 1989.Mann, Charles C. 1491 (Second Edition): New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. 2nd ed., Random House LLC, 2005.Shoumatoff, Alex. “Murder in the Rainforest.” Vanity Fair, 1989.“Making a Difference : Chico Mendes . . .” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 1989, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-22-op-1186-story.html.Mendes, Francisco. “Antihero.” Spin, September 1989, page 76-78.

28 min
EPISODE 3

Ep.3: Good Guys and Bad Guys

Chico begins organizing against deforestation and starts a war with the local ranching community. The hosts see first hand what the burning looks like on the ground and learn more about the “good guys” and “bad guys” in the complex conflict between rubber tappers and ranchers, as well as the individuals and groups opposed to Chico before his murder. Finally, Chico is put into a leadership role in 1980. Sources: Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. The Fate of the Forest: Developers, Destroyers, and Defenders of the Amazon. University of Chicago Press, 2010.Revkin, Andrew. The Burning Season: the Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. Island Press, 2004.Rodrigues, Gomercindo, et al. Walking the Forest with Chico Mendes: Struggle for Justice in the Amazon. University of Texas Press, 2007.Mendes, Chico, et al. Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words. Latin America Bureau (Research and Action) Ltd, 1989.Mann, Charles C. 1491 (Second Edition): New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. 2nd ed., Random House LLC, 2005.Shoumatoff, Alex. “Murder in the Rainforest.” Vanity Fair, 1989.Mendes, Francisco. “Antihero.” Spin, September 1989, page 76-78.Brown, Foster. “Morte Entre Muitas.” Jornal A Gazeta, February 2020.

34 min
EPISODE 4

Ep. 4: The Indigenous Perspective

Chico reaches out to the Indigenous communities to help his cause in the forest, a resource on which they both rely. Similarly, Graham and JIm contact the Surui tribe, who have their own innovative way to combat deforestation. In the end, Chico sees that he must take his message to the international stage — but he has doubts. Sources: Revkin, Andrew. The Burning Season: the Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. Island Press, 2004.Rodrigues, Gomercindo, et al. Walking the Forest with Chico Mendes: Struggle for Justice in the Amazon. University of Texas Press, 2007.Mendes, Chico, et al. Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words. Latin America BuShoumatoff, Alex. “Murder in the Rainforest.” Vanity Fair, 1989.Mendes, Francisco. “Antihero.” Spin, September 1989, page 76-78.Surui, Almir Narayamoga, et al. Save the Planet: An Amazonian Tribal Leader Fights for His People, The Rainforest, and the Earth. Editions Albin Michel, 2015.Mann, C. C. (2019). 1491: New revelations of the Americas before Columbus. Alfred A. Knopf.Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. The Fate of the Forest: Developers, Destroyers, and Defenders of the Amazon. University of Chicago Press, 2010. https://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/aboutus/index.shtml

33 min
EPISODE 5

Ep. 5: The International Stage

Chico takes his message to the national and international stages, where he finds both support and increased threat of violence. Jim and Graham take a look at the larger drivers of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. It ends at the beginning, with Chico’s murder. Sources: Revkin, Andrew. The Burning Season: the Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. Island Press, 2004.Rodrigues, Gomercindo, et al. Walking the Forest with Chico Mendes: Struggle for Justice in the Amazon. University of Texas Press, 2007.Mendes, Chico, et al. Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words. Latin America BuShoumatoff, Alex. “Murder in the Rainforest.” Vanity Fair, 1989.Mendes, Francisco. “Antihero.” Spin, September 1989, page 76-78.Surui, Almir Narayamoga, et al. Save the Planet: An Amazonian Tribal Leader Fights for His People, The Rainforest, and the Earth. Editions Albin Michel, 2015.Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. The Fate of the Forest: Developers, Destroyers, and Defenders of the Amazon. University of Chicago Press, 2010.

27 min
EPISODE 6

Ep. 6: Martyrdom

After Chico’s death, he became a martyr for the rainforest, and his work continued with significant success. But where is Chico’s name today? And why is it important that we remember his work? Sources: Complicity in Destruction III. Amazon Watch. (n.d.). https://amazonwatch.org/news/2020/1027-complicity-in-destruction-iii.Guardian News and Media. (2019, November 2). Brazilian 'forest guardian' killed by illegal loggers in ambush. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/02/brazilian-forest-guardian-killed-by-illegal-loggers-in-ambush.Revkin, Andrew. The Burning Season: the Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. Island Press, 2004.Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. The Fate of the Forest: Developers, Destroyers, and Defenders of the Amazon. University of Chicago Press, 2010.Chris Mooney, B. D. (2019, December 22). Top scientists warn of an Amazon 'tipping point'. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/top-scientists-warn-of-an-amazon-tippingpoint/2019/12/20/9c9be954-233e-11ea-bed5-880264cc91a9_story.html.Brasil, V. (n.d.). Chico Mendes House: Visit Brasil. Visit Brasil - Site oficial de turismo do Brasil. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/chico-mendes-house.html.Fabricius, K. E., Neill, C., Van Ooijen, E., Smith, J. N., & Tilbrook, B. (2020). Progressive seawater acidification on the Great Barrier Reef continental shelf. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75293-1Maisonnave, F. (2020, October 23). The second death of Chico Mendes. Climate Home News. https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/03/06/second-death-chico-mendes/.Shoumatoff, Alex. “Murder in the Rainforest.” Vanity Fair, 1989.Rodrigues, Gomercindo, et al. Walking the Forest with Chico Mendes: Struggle for Justice in the Amazon. University of Texas Press, 2007.Mendes, Chico, et al. Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words. Latin America Bureau (Research and Action) Ltd, 1989.Chico Mendes: Voice of the Amazon, a documentary about rainforest martyr Chico Mendes. (n.d.). https://www.mirandaproductions.com/voice/reviews.htm.The Amazon: A Global Treasure. Amazon Watch. (n.d.). https://amazonwatch.org/about.Guajajara, S. (2020, October 2). Can Our Culture Survive Climate Change? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/opinion/amazon-indigenous-people-brazil.html.

32 min
SEASON 2 TRAILER

Wildfire: The Amazon

On December 22nd 1988 in the town of Xapuri, Brazil a man named Chico Mendes was shot and killed at his home. He was killed for trying to protect the rainforest from the fires that were burning at an increasing rate; fires that were turning one of the most complex ecosystems in the world into cow pastures. In this season of Wildfire, hosts Jim Aikman and Graham Zimmerman look into the story of Chico Mendes—who he was, what he was fighting for, and how his legacy lives on. It's a story filled with intrigue and violence but also hope, both for the Amazon and for humankind. This 6-part series is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.

3 min

See All Season 2 (7)

Graham Zimmerman

Host

4.4

out of 5

435 Ratings

Great start!

10/18/2019

Abshxnskx

First season was fantastic. Informational and easier to listen to. However, second season trailer sounds like the narrator is trying to use a deeper voice than he naturally has. I dearly hope this isn’t how he’s going to sound the rest of the season.
I was on this fire

01/26/2024

Tmorris96

Helped with this fire with my have crew!
Very intriguing

10/07/2020

maverich9

A great blend of story telling, reporting and science. A must listen for anyone from the northwest. I found this podcast during the 2020 fire season in Oregon. It really struck home listening to this with the sky filled with smoke and ash.
This is not the podcast to learn about wildland fire

07/21/2020

Schoncher

This was rough. How does an organization with the resources and networks of REI produce something so journalistic for a topic that’s so scientific and begging for something beyond the typical “story?” When the corporation’s former CEO was Secretary of the Interior, one can reasonably expect some hard-hitting interviews with the top experts - policy makers and scientists, practitioners and observers. Heck, I only bumped this up to 2 stars because the journalists managed to get a basic interview with Stephen Pine. This podcast is best for the REI customer awaiting her annual dividend. This is for the urban yuppie dipping his toe into the overly-visited hot spring off the washboarded forest road traveled by dust/covered Subaru’s who isn’t really interested in wildland fire that’s reasonably never going to impact his downtown flat. This podcast is not for wildland firefighters, especially seasonal feds who could teach this subject with expert-like perspective by the start of their third season, but could be for municipal firefighters who are unlikely to ever cut line. Here’s another thought: if I wanted to inform you about international reporting by major domestic news agencies, would you get the better perspective on that process by hearing from international bureau chiefs at The NY Times, WaPo, etc, or should I offer you the take of the Carson City-based Nevada Appeal? The Nevada Appeal reports international news, technically. Right? So if I wanted to inform you about wildland fire management and the incident command system, should I find a type 1 incident commander or information officer or operations chief from a national team or should I let you hear from a municipal fire captain on a local/state team to give you the overview of a process originated out of Southern California in the 1970s and refined by federal teams? Like I said, this isn’t a podcast for wildland firefighters (but kudos to that fire captain who hat tipped USFS handcrews - that guy gets it and knows what he does, and does not, want to do!). You can read the other reviews concerning editing, style, pronunciation, etc (I concur). For me, this missed the mark and reflects far too many cliche journalistic attempts to frame wildland fire as their own story when it never was/is in the first place. 👎

On September 2nd 2017, just east of Portland, Oregon, 150 hikers were trapped behind a wall of flames created by one mistake, one that would lead to immense fear and loss. Wildfire, a podcast from REI Co-op, investigates the causes and repercussions of this devastating wildfire.