EVENTS | By Wendy Barker

TOWN TALK: THE FIRE NEXT TIME

The Ojai Valley Museum presents another in an ongoing series of Town Talks. It takes place at the museum on Sunday, December 9, from 4:30-6pm.

During this Town Talk, experts from a number of different fields will discuss fire preparedness strategies for individuals and for the community. From simple tips to what our community can do to help mitigate the effects of climate change and the resulting wildfires, this will be a free ranging talk. Included will the opportunity to ask questions from the audience.

Elizabeth Rose, co-author of “From the Fire: Ojai Reflects on the Thomas Fire” will moderate the discussion. Panelists include:
Ed Bennett, Director of Facilities, The Thacher School
William D Castagna, Board President, Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
James Fryhoff, Ojai Police Chief
Connor Jones, East End Eden, Ojai Permaculture
John McNeil, Ventura County Fire Department Division Chief
Ray Powers, Ojai Planning Commissioner
Charlie Whitman, Wildland fire Fuel Management Technician
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The Town Talk is in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition, “Trial by Fire: Ojai Ablaze 1917-2017.” The exhibit examines the history of wildfires in the Ojai Valley, and especially the Thomas Fire. The exhibit displays stunning images contributed by many community members, along with a specific focus on the loss and/or damage to places important to the valley’s collective heritage. The exhibit ends with community’s response to the fire and images of the valley’s renewed landscape.

Admission to the Town Talk is $5; free for museum members.
The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Ave; 805 640-1390; OjaiValleyMuseum.org.