Amanda Monthei
@amonthei.bsky.social
Writer, communicator, creator of Life with Fire Podcast. Mostly writing, talking and thinking about wildfire resilience and land stewardship.
www.amandamonthei.com
www.amandamonthei.com
Was talking to a groups of 50-ish year old women at a concert last night. They asked what I did and I told them about my wildfire work. One went “OH! I just read a series of *spicy* novels about hotshots! I learned so much about firefighting from it!”
Is smut an underrated form of #scicomm? lol
Is smut an underrated form of #scicomm? lol
August 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Was talking to a groups of 50-ish year old women at a concert last night. They asked what I did and I told them about my wildfire work. One went “OH! I just read a series of *spicy* novels about hotshots! I learned so much about firefighting from it!”
Is smut an underrated form of #scicomm? lol
Is smut an underrated form of #scicomm? lol
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
Thank you @amonthei.bsky.social for a very thoughtful conversation about the north rim situation. If you care about our terrible relationship with fire and getting more good fire on the ground, this is the podcast for you. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
The Social Contract of Managing Fire with Stephen Pyne
Podcast Episode · Life with Fire · 07/17/2025 · 45m
podcasts.apple.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Thank you @amonthei.bsky.social for a very thoughtful conversation about the north rim situation. If you care about our terrible relationship with fire and getting more good fire on the ground, this is the podcast for you. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
Medical debt shouldn’t ever be a thing in a developed country. No other Western industrialized nation has it.
July 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Medical debt shouldn’t ever be a thing in a developed country. No other Western industrialized nation has it.
My Roman empire is that some version of the headline below could happen in almost every county in the US right now if it experienced a disaster.
We need to sit with that and then figure out how to do better—quickly.
abcnews.go.com/US/hard-hit-...
We need to sit with that and then figure out how to do better—quickly.
abcnews.go.com/US/hard-hit-...
Hard-hit Texas county had no flood warning sirens despite years of discussions
State and local officials in Texas have come under scrutiny over the lack of sirens in place to warn people of impending flash flooding.
abcnews.go.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
My Roman empire is that some version of the headline below could happen in almost every county in the US right now if it experienced a disaster.
We need to sit with that and then figure out how to do better—quickly.
abcnews.go.com/US/hard-hit-...
We need to sit with that and then figure out how to do better—quickly.
abcnews.go.com/US/hard-hit-...
Anyone know where to find smoke data or live-ish prescribed fire/wildfire maps for (northern) Spain? Was great weather for burning today and I biked by at least two sizable burns, was hoping to find more info about them!
June 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Anyone know where to find smoke data or live-ish prescribed fire/wildfire maps for (northern) Spain? Was great weather for burning today and I biked by at least two sizable burns, was hoping to find more info about them!
I just finished up a month-long podcast series (supported by @fireaside.bsky.social), all centered on Community Wildfire Resilience. My approach to this conversation was to start as big as possible—with community resilience policy in California—and end at the community/implementation scale.
June 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I just finished up a month-long podcast series (supported by @fireaside.bsky.social), all centered on Community Wildfire Resilience. My approach to this conversation was to start as big as possible—with community resilience policy in California—and end at the community/implementation scale.
Due to DOGE cuts, RIFs and early retirements, the Forest Service has lost 1600 red-carded individuals and five complex incident management teams (the teams that manage the large, complex incidents that you see on the news) ahead of what is expected to be an active wildfire season.
May 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Due to DOGE cuts, RIFs and early retirements, the Forest Service has lost 1600 red-carded individuals and five complex incident management teams (the teams that manage the large, complex incidents that you see on the news) ahead of what is expected to be an active wildfire season.
The home insurance crisis is coming to a town near you. Reporting by @murphywoodhouse.bsky.social!
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
A home insurance crisis is building in the Mountain West. State leaders are struggling to respond
Homeowners insurance is getting more expensive and harder to keep. Lawmakers in our region introduced more than a dozen policy proposals in response this year.
www.boisestatepublicradio.org
May 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The home insurance crisis is coming to a town near you. Reporting by @murphywoodhouse.bsky.social!
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
Center for Biological Diversity (@biologicaldiversity.org) recently published an opinion piece: "‘Active management’ harms forests — and it’s about to get a whole lot worse." Given that this article has considerable bearing on my profession, allow me to offer a different point of view. 🌎🍁🔥🌳
‘Active Management’ Harms Forests — And It’s About to Get a Whole Lot Worse • The Revelator
Forest management approaches promoted as “resilience,” “restoration,” “fuel reduction,” and “forest health” often degrade natural systems and reduce carbon stocks.
therevelator.org
May 17, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Center for Biological Diversity (@biologicaldiversity.org) recently published an opinion piece: "‘Active management’ harms forests — and it’s about to get a whole lot worse." Given that this article has considerable bearing on my profession, allow me to offer a different point of view. 🌎🍁🔥🌳
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
One reason the feds aren't discussing the situation & planning with state/local resources is because they aren't allowed to do so. Seeing it all laid out in this article is bracing.
We are already well behind the curve & stand no chance of getting ahead of the 2025 fire year. Prepare accordingly.
We are already well behind the curve & stand no chance of getting ahead of the 2025 fire year. Prepare accordingly.
NEW: No fuel for chainsaws. Expired medical supplies.
The approaching wildfire season is going to be even riskier for firefighters this year - among the staff cuts from the Trump admin also lies cuts to supply funds firefighters need immediate access to.
www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
The approaching wildfire season is going to be even riskier for firefighters this year - among the staff cuts from the Trump admin also lies cuts to supply funds firefighters need immediate access to.
www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
'Risk to public safety': Wildfire season may be unpredictable after federal budget slashing hits supplies, support staff, crews say
Fuel for chainsaws. Food and water for Pulaski-toting firefighters doing the exhaustive work of digging fire lines. Ample first aid kits with spendy epi-pens in case a wildland firefighter steps on a ...
www.spokesman.com
May 18, 2025 at 2:47 PM
One reason the feds aren't discussing the situation & planning with state/local resources is because they aren't allowed to do so. Seeing it all laid out in this article is bracing.
We are already well behind the curve & stand no chance of getting ahead of the 2025 fire year. Prepare accordingly.
We are already well behind the curve & stand no chance of getting ahead of the 2025 fire year. Prepare accordingly.
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
Still amazed that these two maps are not making more news and generating more public comment. Especially given the intentionally degraded capacity of the federal wildland fire service.
May 16, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Still amazed that these two maps are not making more news and generating more public comment. Especially given the intentionally degraded capacity of the federal wildland fire service.
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
New paper alert -- Gavin Jones strikes again!
Key findings:
• Fire-driven complete loss of mature forest habitat in California is possible by 2100 under 'business as usual'.
• Active forest restoration could slow or reverse trends of mature forest loss.
🧪🌍🔥
Key findings:
• Fire-driven complete loss of mature forest habitat in California is possible by 2100 under 'business as usual'.
• Active forest restoration could slow or reverse trends of mature forest loss.
🧪🌍🔥
Collapse and restoration of mature forest habitat in California
Mature and old-growth forests provide critically important ecosystems services and wildlife habitats, but they are being lost at a rapid rate to uncha…
www.sciencedirect.com
May 16, 2025 at 4:20 PM
New paper alert -- Gavin Jones strikes again!
Key findings:
• Fire-driven complete loss of mature forest habitat in California is possible by 2100 under 'business as usual'.
• Active forest restoration could slow or reverse trends of mature forest loss.
🧪🌍🔥
Key findings:
• Fire-driven complete loss of mature forest habitat in California is possible by 2100 under 'business as usual'.
• Active forest restoration could slow or reverse trends of mature forest loss.
🧪🌍🔥
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
A powerful piece by @amonthei.bsky.social about the daunting future of natural disasters.
Reality Check: We're On Our Own
Thoughts on preparing our communities to lose federal funding for disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
open.substack.com
May 12, 2025 at 12:55 AM
A powerful piece by @amonthei.bsky.social about the daunting future of natural disasters.
Something I think about a lot: We will never be able to prevent wildfires. Sorry, we just won't. Humans on the whole have dumb and sometimes malicious tendencies. It's well past time to accept this reality, from coast to coast, no matter how "at-risk" your community is.
A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with arson for allegedly starting a fire in his state that has burned 15,000 acres, destroyed a commercial building and could turn New York-area skies into a smoky haze.
Man charged with starting New Jersey wildfire by burning wood pallets
A 19-year-old man faces arson charges in the Ocean County blaze, which has burned 15,000 acres and is sending smoke into New York City.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Something I think about a lot: We will never be able to prevent wildfires. Sorry, we just won't. Humans on the whole have dumb and sometimes malicious tendencies. It's well past time to accept this reality, from coast to coast, no matter how "at-risk" your community is.
My staunchly conservative father—who used to call me a treehugger for ordering a salad at dinner—is now talking about food dyes and GMOs. Consider this a strong indicator that RFK's messaging has reached the last offline holdouts in the rural Midwest.
April 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM
My staunchly conservative father—who used to call me a treehugger for ordering a salad at dinner—is now talking about food dyes and GMOs. Consider this a strong indicator that RFK's messaging has reached the last offline holdouts in the rural Midwest.
Just noticed I have two new podcast reviews. It's all about balance!
April 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Just noticed I have two new podcast reviews. It's all about balance!
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
Here is the statement that I just got from NIOSH on the status of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, perhaps the most ambitious effort to date to understand the firefighting-cancer connection. This is a huge deal.
April 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Here is the statement that I just got from NIOSH on the status of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, perhaps the most ambitious effort to date to understand the firefighting-cancer connection. This is a huge deal.
Who wants to come on Life with Fire to talk about the policy/capacity/infrastructure limitations of Trump's plan to increase logging on public lands? Would also love to get some input on what we actually *should* be worried about with that USDA memo so we can be more targeted than "STOP LOGGING!"
April 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Who wants to come on Life with Fire to talk about the policy/capacity/infrastructure limitations of Trump's plan to increase logging on public lands? Would also love to get some input on what we actually *should* be worried about with that USDA memo so we can be more targeted than "STOP LOGGING!"
A local conservation organization is promoting a book club that's preparing to read a Chad Hanson book. I've already sent them an email telling them this is embarrassing. Now considering a covert book club infiltration to subtly espouse the benefits of active management for forest health.
April 10, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A local conservation organization is promoting a book club that's preparing to read a Chad Hanson book. I've already sent them an email telling them this is embarrassing. Now considering a covert book club infiltration to subtly espouse the benefits of active management for forest health.
just want to shout out the one guy in Arizona who listens to all of my podcast episodes religiously the day they come out and immediately messages me his thoughts about it. Robert, if you follow me here, just know you're keeping this ship afloat my man.
April 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
just want to shout out the one guy in Arizona who listens to all of my podcast episodes religiously the day they come out and immediately messages me his thoughts about it. Robert, if you follow me here, just know you're keeping this ship afloat my man.
New Life with Fire episode is live today!
I spoke with Collin Haffey—the @wadnr.bsky.social Post Fire Recovery Program Manager—about all things post-fire, including the common gaps that communities face in effectively recovering from wildfire.
Listen here:
lifewithfirepodcast.com/episodes/aft...
I spoke with Collin Haffey—the @wadnr.bsky.social Post Fire Recovery Program Manager—about all things post-fire, including the common gaps that communities face in effectively recovering from wildfire.
Listen here:
lifewithfirepodcast.com/episodes/aft...
Ep. 73—After The Fire with Collin Haffey
Today’s episode is all about post-fire—how to plan and prepare for post-fire challenges like debris flows and landslides, how to recover at a community and landscape scale, how to maintain a love of p...
lifewithfirepodcast.com
April 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
New Life with Fire episode is live today!
I spoke with Collin Haffey—the @wadnr.bsky.social Post Fire Recovery Program Manager—about all things post-fire, including the common gaps that communities face in effectively recovering from wildfire.
Listen here:
lifewithfirepodcast.com/episodes/aft...
I spoke with Collin Haffey—the @wadnr.bsky.social Post Fire Recovery Program Manager—about all things post-fire, including the common gaps that communities face in effectively recovering from wildfire.
Listen here:
lifewithfirepodcast.com/episodes/aft...
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
We’ll see you out there.
April 1, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We’ll see you out there.
I just want to draw attention to the catastrophic ice storm in Northern Michigan right now. My family lives there and they are nearly out of gas to fuel their generators. Temps in the 20s tonight, in the teens tomorrow night. Power outages expected for at least another week.
March 31, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I just want to draw attention to the catastrophic ice storm in Northern Michigan right now. My family lives there and they are nearly out of gas to fuel their generators. Temps in the 20s tonight, in the teens tomorrow night. Power outages expected for at least another week.
“Understanding each other and the land is the gift that fire gives us.” -Opening remarks from the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria at the CA Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force meeting today.
March 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
“Understanding each other and the land is the gift that fire gives us.” -Opening remarks from the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria at the CA Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force meeting today.
Reposted by Amanda Monthei
Hey #wildfire folks: come join us for this great talk tonight at 6pm PT.
Zoom link :
bsky.app/profile/weat...
Zoom link :
bsky.app/profile/weat...
For those not able to make it this evening to my wildfire and climate talk in San Rafael (apparently the venue is at capacity!), the event organizers have arranged for a Zoom livestream of the event as an alternative. See below for details.
us06web.zoom.us/j/81...
us06web.zoom.us/j/81...
Launch Meeting - Zoom
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.
us06web.zoom.us
March 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Hey #wildfire folks: come join us for this great talk tonight at 6pm PT.
Zoom link :
bsky.app/profile/weat...
Zoom link :
bsky.app/profile/weat...