Science Pub: Building Wildfire Resilience
At Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 18 E. Ortega Street
On December 5, 2017, the Thomas Fire ignited in Ventura County. Within days, it became the largest wildfire in California’s history at the time—burning over 1,000 structures, forcing 100,000 people to evacuate, and costing more than $200 million to fight. More than 8,500 firefighters battled a blaze that forced us to confront an unavoidable truth: fire is both a natural part of our ecosystems and a growing hazard. Eight years later, wildfires like the Thomas Fire are larger, faster, and more destructive than ever. So how do we learn to live with fire—not just survive it? The answer lies in resilience: how communities resist damage and recover once the flames pass.
Join National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) Research Associate Cat Fong, Ph.D., to explore the new Wildfire Resilience Index (WRI)—a groundbreaking tool that turns complex data into insight about how people and landscapes resist and recover together. The WRI combines information on air quality, water resources, housing, local economies, and even social connections to show, down to the neighborhood, where communities are most vulnerable—and where they’re best prepared. You’ll see how this data-driven approach helps local leaders plan smarter, empowers communities living with fire, and supports a safer, more resilient future for Santa Barbara County and beyond. Come for the science, stay for the stories behind the maps—and discover what the numbers say about wildfire resilience right here at home.
Dr. Fong's research is at the interface of social and ecological systems with the goal of solving sustainability challenges by supporting societal decision-making and addressing key issues of environmental justice and sustainable development. Previously, Fong was an NSF postdoc studying anthropogenic stressors to tropical reefs, then an NCEAS postdoc exploring aquaculture as a sustainable pathway for meeting growing food demands. She earned her Ph.D. in 2016 at UCSB where her dissertation investigated parasite population and community ecology.
No tickets or reservations needed, but note that Science Pub is a popular program. Early birds get good seats, order food and drink at leisure, and enjoy a raffle to support science education and win Museum swag. Arriving close to 6:30 may land you in an overflow room or without a seat.
This event is part of the Museum’s ongoing Science Pub series of free science talks held on the second Monday of every month. For more information about Science Pub, contact Kelsey Perry at kperry@sbnature2.org.
Photo by Bruce Warrington
