The world’s least understood ignition source is causing devastating wildfires across Montana’s Powder River Basin.
Magazine
- Digital Editions are available for our paid subscribers. Please login here.
- If you wish to subscribe, click here.
August 1, 2022
August is hot, and so are the stories in this issue, which examine the West’s fiery future from a variety of angles, discussing how communities can work together to reduce fire risk; climate change and our “forever” fire season; recovery after devastating wildfires; and the weird underground fires that ignite in coal seams and sometimes cause raging aboveground wildfires. Elsewhere, we see the impacts of climate injustice in industrialized Wilmington, California, where residents fight cancer and other serious illnesses. What’s the one weird trick oil companies use to dodge those annoying cleanup costs? Just don’t pay them. We interview longtime HCN contributor Leah Sottile, whose new book shows how extremist beliefs can destroy the lives of ordinary people. In the mood for fresh air? Take a hike with the “School of New Art Geographies,” which brings together artists and scientists to do creative fieldwork in the Sonoran Desert. And enjoy our preview of the Utah Museum of Fine Art’s groundbreaking multimedia exhibition, “Air,” which opens our eyes to something we often take for granted.
Feature
Okanogan County, Washington, had hardly recovered from the last devastating wildfire when the next one struck.
Reportage
In Colorado, a sale of 110 low-producing oil wells illustrates a hot potato effect, and how funding remediation eventually comes from the public.
People living in Wilmington, California, experience higher levels of illness and ailing mental health.
Equitable wildfire preparedness requires community-level fixes.
Editor's Note
Our future is worth fighting for.
Facts & Figures
How climate change makes wildfire more likely to happen all year round.
Arts and Culture
‘Air’ at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts wants to pull your head out of the clouds.
A new ‘school’ of art and geography gathers artists for creative fieldwork in the Sonoran Desert.
Conversation
Leah Sottile investigates how an Idaho couple’s embrace of fringe Mormon beliefs led to multiple murder charges in her debut book, ‘When the Moon Turns to Blood.’
Heard Around the West
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
Dear Friends
Tell us about your book selections.
Poetry
A poem by Keetje Kuipers.
Letters
Comments from readers.
Featured stories
-
GRANT WRITER (PART-TIME, FREELANCE CONTRACT) High Country News seeks an energetic, eloquent and highly organized grant writer to support a growing foundations program. This position works closely with our Executive...
-
ASSOCIATE PROGRAM MANAGER 
Associate Program Manager ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND Parks California is a new organization working to ensure that our State Parks thrive. From redwood groves and desert springs...
-
ATTORNEY AD Criminal Defense, Code Enforcement, Water Rights, Mental Health Defense, Resentencing.
-
LUNATEC HYDRATION SPRAY BOTTLE A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.
-
LUNATEC ODOR-FREE DISHCLOTHS are a must try. They stay odor-free, dry fast, are durable and don't require machine washing. Try today.
-
PROFESSIONAL GIS SERVICES Custom Geospatial Solutions is available for all of your GIS needs. Affordable, flexible and accurate data visualization and analysis for any sized project.
-
FREE RANGE BISON AVAILABLE Hard grass raised bison available in east Montana. You harvest or possible deliver quartered carcass to your butcher or cut/wrapped pickup. Contact Crazy Woman Bison...
-
CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE - OKANOGAN LAND TRUST (NORTH CENTRAL WA) Do you enjoy rural living, wild places, and the chance to work with many different kinds of people and accomplish big conservation outcomes? Do you...
-
CARDIGAN WELSH CORGIS 10 adorable, healthy puppies for sale. 4 males and 6 females. DM and PRA clear. Excellent pedigree from champion lineage. One Red Brindle male. The...
-
A CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS!! "Goodnight Fossil Fuels!" is a an engaging, beautiful, factual and somewhat silly picture book by a climate scientist and a climate artist, both based in...
-
DIGITAL ADVOCACY & MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
The Digital Advocacy & Membership Manager will be responsible for creating and delivering compelling, engaging digital content to Guardians members, email activists, and social media...
-
DIGITAL OUTREACH COORDINATOR, ARIZONA Job Title: Digital Outreach Coordinator, Arizona Position Location: Phoenix or Tucson, AZ Status: Salaried Job ID Number: 52198 We are looking for you! We are...
-
DESCHUTES LAND TRUST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER The Deschutes Land Trust is seeking an experienced Volunteer Program Manager to join its dedicated team! Deschutes Land Trust conserves and cares for the lands...
-
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming seeks an experienced fundraiser to join our team. We're looking for a great communicator who is passionate about conservation and...
-
INDIAN COUNTRY FELLOWSHIP Western Leaders Network is accepting applications for its paid, part-time, 6-month fellowship. Mentorship, training, and engaging tribal leaders in advancing conservation initiatives and climate policy....
-
MULESHOE RANCH PRESERVE MANAGER The Muleshoe Ranch Preserve Manager develops, manages, and advances conservation programs, plans and methods for large-scale geographic areas. The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (MRCMA)...
-
ARTEMIS PROGRAM MANAGER Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more...
-
ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES Assistant or Associate Professor of Environmental Humanities Whitman College The Environmental Humanities Program at Whitman College seeks candidates for a tenure-track position beginning August 2023...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) in Crested Butte, CO is seeking an enthusiastic Executive Director who is passionate about the public lands, natural waters and...
-
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Are you passionate about connecting people to the outdoors? The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for someone with volunteer management experience to join...
