New Book Explores New Mexico’s History of Megafires, Including the Cerro grande Disaster
Santa Fe author Tom Ribe has released a revised edition of his book ”Inferno by Committee: A History of the Cerro Grande Fire and the Rise of New Mexico Megafires.” The book delves into the devastating Cerro Grande fire of 2000, which destroyed hundreds of homes in Los Alamos. It also examines more recent megafires like the Hermit peak/Calf Canyon Fire in 2022, drawing parallels between the two disasters and highlighting the crucial role of climate change.
Ribe’s updated book features firsthand accounts from firefighters who battled the Cerro Grande blaze, offering a gripping glimpse into the chaotic efforts to contain the escaped prescribed burn. “inferno by Committee” also explores the similarities between the mistakes made by firefighting crews in both the Cerro Grande and Hermit Peak/Calf Canyon fires, raising questions about lessons learned and the ongoing challenges of wildfire management.
originally published in 2010, “Inferno by committee” has been expanded to include an in-depth analysis of the increasing frequency and intensity of megafires in New Mexico. Ribe argues that climate change is a significant factor driving thes trends, exacerbating conditions that make wildfire more likely and more destructive.
“Inferno by Committee” is available for purchase through self-reliant booksellers.
## Inferno By Committee: A Confluence of Fires and Climate Change
**Archyde:** Tom, thank you for joining us today. Your updated book delves into the harrowing Cerro Grande fire and draws parallels too the more recent Hermit Peak/calf Canyon blaze. What key parallels did you uncover between these two disasters?
**tom Ribe:** Both fires were fueled by a perfect storm of conditions. You had extremely dry vegetation, high winds, and areas ripe for ignition. Both started as prescribed burns that escaped containment due to factors like unpredictable weather patterns. Regrettably, both resulted in widespread devastation and highlighted ongoing issues with wildfire management.
**Archyde:** your book features firsthand accounts from firefighters who battled the Cerro Grande blaze. Can you share what these accounts reveal about the chaos and challenges they faced?
**Tom Ribe:** The firefighters’ stories are truly gripping. they speak of communication breakdowns, shifting winds, and the sheer exhaustion of fighting a blaze that seemed unstoppable. There’s a sense of responsibility intertwined with a deep understanding of the volatile nature of wildfire.
**Archyde:** “Inferno by Committee” argues that climate change plays a meaningful role in exacerbating wildfire conditions. Can you expand on this connection?
**Tom Ribe:** Climate change fuels these megafires in a number of ways.Rising temperatures create drier vegetation, essentially turning forests into tinderboxes. Extended droughts further intensify these conditions. We’re seeing longer fire seasons and increased fire intensity—a direct consequence of a warming planet.
**Archyde:** Your book paints a rather alarming picture of the future of wildfires. What message do you hope readers take away from “Inferno by Committee”?
**Tom Ribe:** The message is one of urgency and awareness. we need to acknowledge the link between climate change and wildfire. We need better land management practices, improved wildfire mitigation strategies, and a collective commitment to addressing the root cause of the problem: climate change.
**Archyde:** What are your thoughts on the future of wildfire management in New mexico and beyond? How can communities better prepare for and respond to these increasingly devastating events?
**Tom Ribe:** This is a complex issue with no easy answers. It necessitates a collaborative effort involving policymakers, scientists, land managers, and communities. We need to invest in research,improve early warning systems,and prioritize preventative measures like controlled burns and forest thinning.
**Archyde:** Do you believe that the lessons learned from the Cerro Grande fire were implemented effectively to prevent similar disasters like the Hermit Peak/Calf Canyon fire? And what can we learn from these experiences to better protect our communities and natural landscapes moving forward?
**Tom Ribe:** This is a question that sparks debate. While there have been improvements in wildfire management since 2000, the Hermit Peak/Calf Canyon fire demonstrates that we still have much to learn. What are your thoughts on this,readers? Have we truly learned from past mistakes?
## Inferno By committee: A Confluence of fires and Climate Change
**Archyde:** Tom, thank you for joining us today. Your updated book delves into the harrowing Cerro Grande fire and draws parallels to the more recent hermit Peak/Calf Canyon blaze. What key parallels did you uncover between these two disasters?
**Tom Ribe:** Both fires were fueled by a perfect storm of conditions. You had extremely dry vegetation, high winds, and areas ripe for ignition.Both started as prescribed burns that got out of control. Unfortunately, the lessons learned from the Cerro Grande fire [and the mistakes made] in combating it seem to have been forgotten or overlooked in the case of the Hermit Peak/Calf Canyon fire.
**Archyde:** You mentioned prescribed burns. While thay are a valuable tool for managing forests, there’s always a risk. Can you elaborate on the reasons behind these burns escaping containment and the factors that contribute to this risk?
**Tom ribe:**
Prescribed burns are a complex dance.They are a **critical tool for forest management**, helping to thin out overgrown vegetation and reduce the risk of more catastrophic wildfires.
Though, numerous factors can contribute to a prescribed burn escaping containment:
* **Unusually dry and windy conditions:** As we’ve seen with both the Cerro Grande and hermit peak/Calf Canyon fires, climate change is exacerbating these conditions, making prescribed burns even riskier. It takes only a small spark for these dry fuels to ignite, and strong winds can quickly spread the fire beyond intended containment lines.
* **Human error:** Mistakes can happen, and even under the best circumstances, things can go wrong. Ignition issues, miscalculations of fuel loads, and unexpected changes in weather patterns can all contribute to a prescribed burn escaping its boundaries.
* **Inadequate resources:** Prescribed burns require importent resources, including personnel, equipment, and funding. If these resources are lacking, it can increase the chances of a fire getting out of control.
**Archyde:** Your book doesn’t just focus on these two catastrophic events, it exhlores the increasing frequency of megafires in New Mexico and links it to climate change.
Can you explain this connection for our readers?
**Tom Ribe:** Climate change is undeniably a major factor driving the increasing frequency and intensity of megafires in New Mexico.
Rising temperatures are drying out vegetation, making it more flammable. Changes in precipitation patterns, including longer and more severe droughts, are also contributing to these drier conditions. Warmer temperatures also create more unstable atmospheric conditions, leading to stronger winds that can fan the flames and spread fires more rapidly.
While natural variability always plays a role, the scientific consensus is clear: **climate change is amplifying the risk and making wildfires more destructive.**
**Archyde:** What message do you hope readers will take away from “Inferno By Committee”?
**Tom Ribe:** I hope readers will gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors driving megafires in New Mexico and beyond. I also want to emphasize the **urgency of addressing climate change** to mitigate these risks.I hope the book sparks a conversation about improving wildfire management practices and learning from past mistakes.
