STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Learn how the Wood River Valley can mitigate and respond to wildland fires during a community conversation on Wednesday.

Dennis Becker, dean of the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, will discuss wildfires and open space management from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Ketchum City Hall.

Cece Osborn, planning director at the Wood River Land Trust will discuss the interface between the valley’s built environment, surrounding open spaces and community efforts.

Tess O’Sullivan, The Nature Conservancy’s Land Conservation strategy lead, will discuss the Conservancy’s statewide approach to building resilient forests that include the use of prescribed fire.

“In 2013, when the Beaver Creek fire burned 114,000 acres in our backyard, only one structure was lost,” said Scott Boettger, president of the Wood River Land Trust. “Credit is due to our local firefighters, as well as our local zoning codes--restricting development on hillsides and up remote drainages better prepared us to fight the fire.”

The program is being presented by the Wood River Land Trust and Idaho Chapter of The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the University of Idaho. Light refreshments will be served.