Climate expert to speak on climate change, wildfire and ‘productive action’ opportunities for Southern Oregon residents

The Pompadour Fire as seen from North Mountain Park on Monday, July 7, after a series of lightning storms swept through Southern Oregon. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
August 20, 2025

Free educational talk on ‘Southern Oregon Wildfire Risk: The Climate Connection’ set Tuesday in Medford

By Sydney Seymour, Ashland.news 

Southern Oregon Climate Action Now will host a free educational talk on how climate change impacts wildfires and ways Southern Oregon residents can take action from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Medford Public Library. 

Chris Adlam, Ph.D.

“We can’t talk about fire without talking about climate change,” Chris Adlam, Ph.D., southwest regional fire specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, said in a phone interview. “Wildfire is one of the most visible manifestations of climate change for a lot of people in our region.” 

Adlam’s talk, entitled “Southern Oregon Wildfire Risk: The Climate Connection,” will discuss past wildfires in Southern Oregon to explain where the region stands today, and what it means going forward as fire seasons seem to worsen, Adlam said. He hopes to help listeners look at the facts, turning fears and anxiety associated with climate change — this “existential threat” —  into “productive action.” 

The deets 
Wildfire and climate change educational talk, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Medford Public Library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford

In addition to any questions from the public, he plans to answer: “Is everything we’ve seen because of climate change? Or are there other factors influencing wildfire trends? What can we possibly do to have an influence on climate change, such a seemingly threatening and unstoppable force?”

He continued, “There’s a lot that we can do. We’re not just powerless in the face of this global threat. With knowledge and good discussions in the community, we can definitely come up with ways people can feel engaged and understand what their part can be in improving the outcomes.”

For those unable to attend in-person, the event will be recorded and posted on the SOCAN website. Contact Alan Journet at [email protected] for more information.

Email Ashland.news Snowden intern Sydney Seymour at [email protected].

Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

Related Posts...

Obituary: Cheryl Rae Gilliam Minoletti

Obituary: Cheryl Rae Gilliam Minoletti passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20 following complications from heart surgery. She was 68. Infectious laughter, warmth, and compassion were felt by those who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, March 28, in Eagle Point.

Read More »

Our Sponsors

Latest posts

Relocations: We’ll never know how great a leader Malcolm X may have become

MLK Jr.: “Malcolm was still turning and growing at the time of his brutal and meaningless assassination. . . . Like the murder of Lumumba, the murder of Malcolm X deprives the world of a potentially great leader. I could not agree with either of these men, but I could see in them a capacity for leadership which I could respect, and which was just beginning to mature in judgment and statesmanship.”

Read More >

Obituary: Cheryl Rae Gilliam Minoletti

Obituary: Cheryl Rae Gilliam Minoletti passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20 following complications from heart surgery. She was 68. Infectious laughter, warmth, and compassion were felt by those who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, March 28, in Eagle Point.

Read More >

Our Sponsors

Explore More...

Owen Johnson: While it may be tempting to be unproblematic in the face of threats of violence, this is the desired effect. The most effective form of counter-protest is for local communities to monitor ICE activity.
Although many large regional theaters host students on their own campuses, only a few maintain educational outreach programs like OSF’s because of the high cost of school visits.
MLK Jr.: “Malcolm was still turning and growing at the time of his brutal and meaningless assassination. . . . Like the murder of Lumumba, the murder of Malcolm X deprives the world of a potentially great leader. I could not agree with either of these men, but I could see in them a capacity for leadership which I could respect, and which was just beginning to mature in judgment and statesmanship.”
The Ashland Independent Film Festival will spotlight homegrown talent Saturday, Feb. 21, during its revived Local Lens Spotlight at the Varsity Theatre. The one-night program features 13 short films by filmmakers from Jackson and Siskiyou counties, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and crew.
Ashland concertgoers have a chance to encounter a rare musical treat. Klezmer violinist Zoë Aqua and her Transylvanian String Band will play a house concert of klezmer music Wednesday, Feb. 25, as part of the group’s 12-show tour of the Western United States.

Don't Miss Our Top Stories

Get our newsletter delivered to your inbox three times a week.
It’s FREE and you can cancel anytime.

ashland.news logo

Subscribe to the newsletter and get local news sent directly to your inbox.

(It’s free)