John Vaillant: Fire and Oil: Coming to Terms with a More Flammable World

Presented by the Department of Writing
Moderated by David Leach

Humans, aided by the fossil fuel industry (AKA, the “fire industry”), have altered the chemistry of our planet and its atmosphere in life-changing ways. As a result, we are now crossing a threshold into a new climate regime marked by previously unimagined extremes and whipsawing instability. How we conceptualize and respond to this unprecedented challenge is of immediate and paramount importance, not just to our psyches and our souls, but to the future of everyone on Earth.

Join us for a memorable evening with acclaimed author John Vaillant (The Golden Spruce, The Tiger) as he discusses his compelling new book, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast, about the catastrophic 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. Vaillant explores not just the environmental and human toll, but also the broader implications of our relationship with a planet increasingly defined and deformed by the extreme events of human-fuelled climate change.

This is more than just a story of fire—it’s a warning, a call to action, and an unforgettable narrative of survival, resilience, and the undeniable power of nature.

The annual Harvey Stevenson Southam Lectureship—named after UVic alumnus Harvey Southam—is made possible by a gift from one of the country’s leading publishing families.

*Note: This lecture will be recorded.