FIRE/LAND: KNOWING THE TERRITORY

FIRE/LAND is a musical and visual collage of historical fact and fiction and an artistic exploration of connections to the forest and wildfire--from love and respect for nature, to disregard and loss, to  trauma and recovery, to courage and wisdom. 

The piece is a journey from the origins of forest management and fire suppression policies, first put in place in the 1910’s, through the 20th century until today when wildfires have increased in size, intensity, and frequency due to dense woodlands, drought, tree mortality and climate change. 

The work is in memory of the Caldor Fire, as well as the Mosquito Fire and losses suffered by the local El Dorado County community, and beyond. And, it aims to offer hope: for reviving Native peoples’ practices of tending the land, and for learning skills to integrate fire through intentional burning. It is a call to recognize our legacy to care for the land now and in future.  

The piece is performed live at American River Conservancy's historic Wakamatsu Farm, Placerville, CA on June 10 2023.