‘This is Wildfire’ Named Finalist for Spur Book Award

April 1, 2024

MISSOULA – In the face of escalating wildfire seasons and the urgent need for communities to adapt, the book “This is Wildfire”  has been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Spur Award from the Western Writers of America (WWA).

Authored by Dr. Justin Angle, a University of Montana marketing professor and Poe Distinguished Faculty Fellow, and Nick Mott, this groundbreaking book serves as a practical guide for living with wildfire, offering essential history, scientific insights and actionable steps for individuals and communities alike.

Angle has long explored the topic of wildfires, first in the public affairs program “A New Angle,” which he hosts for Montana Public Radio. In 2021, he and producer Mott spun off a podcast series titled “Fireline,” which won a national Edward R. Murrow Award. Angle and Mott followed up with “This is Wildfire: How to Protect Yourself, Your Home and Your Community in the Age of Heat.”

Angle said this stream of work addresses “a need for more translational scholarship, taking complex issues like wildfire and helping the public understand not only what’s happening, but potentially their role in the solution.”

Wildfires have become increasingly destructive, scorching vast expanses of land and threatening homes and livelihoods at an alarming rate. “This is Wildfire” acknowledges the severity of the situation, highlighting that fire seasons have transitioned into yearlong battles against flames.

With tens of millions of people residing in fire-prone areas and climate change exacerbating the risk, the need for proactive measures has never been more critical.

However, “This is Wildfire” doesn't just dwell on the devastation. It acknowledges the essential role of wildfires in ecosystems and aims to foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with fire. By offering a comprehensive overview of the history of human interaction with flames and analyzing societal factors that have led to the current crisis, the book empowers readers to enact meaningful change.

Moreover, “This is Wildfire” provides practical advice on how individuals can protect their homes, prepare for emergencies and rebuild in the aftermath of a fire. From selecting insurance policies to creating fire-resistant environments, the book equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate an increasingly fiery future.

As a finalist for the Spur Award from the WWA, “This is Wildfire” offers insightful exploration of wildfire’s complexities and its actionable approach to mitigating risk. It serves as a resource for anyone seeking to understand and adapt to the evolving threat of wildfires.

Since 1953, WWA has promoted and honored the best in Western literature with the annual Spur Awards, selected by panels of judges. Awards for material published during the previous year are given for works whose inspiration, image and literary excellence best represent the reality and spirit of the American West.

Presentations to winners and finalists are scheduled during WWA’s convention June 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.