This summer, the USFWS Library invites you to participate in America’s Wild Read as we delve into Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World by M.R. O’Connor. Amid record-breaking heat and devastating wildfires across North America, Ignition offers a timely and compelling exploration of fire’s role in our landscapes. The book examines the science and ecology of wildfire, the history and controversies surrounding fire management, and the growing movement to restore ecosystems through the use of “good fire.”
Author M. R. O’Connor takes readers deep into some of North America’s most remote and rugged forests to explore the connection between fire, forests, and people. She highlights the work of skilled professionals who use controlled burns to renew landscapes—revealing fire not just as a force of destruction, but also of regeneration. With August marking the height of wildfire season, understanding fire’s ecological role is more important than ever.
Join us on Thursday, August 14, from 3–4 PM ET for a live discussion with author M.R. O’Connor. Please register in advance.
Want to read along? FWS employees can borrow Ignition from the USFWS Library, with eBook and audiobook versions available for checkout. We also have several hard copies for those who prefer the classic page flip. To request a copy, email us at library@fws.gov.