Jennifer Gibson is the new post-wildfire coordinator for the National Park Service.
courtesy of Jennifer Gibson
The National Park Service has recently named Jennifer Gibson as its new post-wildfire coordinator.
The coordinator works with parks across the country to manage the impacts of wildfires, such as scorched ground which can lead to mudslides following heavy rains.
Gibson says that climate change is making wildfires larger and more severe in parks in the West, including in places like Crater Lake, the only national park in Oregon.
“It used to be a sleepy fire park with lightning strikes, usually pretty small, less than five acres,” she said. “There’s been a significant uptick where 40% of the park has burned in the last 10 years.”
Gibson will continue to be based at Crater Lake where she previously served as the chief of resources and fire.
Gibson spoke to “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller about wildfires and park recovery. Click play to listen to the entire conversation: