Episode 155: Wildfire Smoke And Forest Health

Smoke in the air has a way of snapping our attention back to the natural world. We start with what it feels like when wildfire haze rolls in, then zoom out to the less obvious forces that shape forest health every day, the kind you might notice first as a few “mystery” conifers turning brick red along the road or at the edge of your camp. 

I’m joined by David Dutkiewicz from the Ontario Invasive Species Centre, and we get practical fast. We sort out common tree ID mix-ups (spruce vs balsam fir), explain how root competition and natural thinning can make trees die off in clusters, and share simple cues for telling fir, spruce, pine, and tamarack apart. From there we move into the bigger prevention story: why the “Don’t Move Firewood” message matters, how Emerald Ash Borer can survive in cut wood for years, and what to watch for with oak wilt, a fast-moving disease that has already triggered rapid response efforts in Ontario. 

We also hit backyard realities: tar spot on Norway maple, what leaf cleanup actually does, which maples can be tapped for sap, and what Japanese beetles are doing when they “skeletonize” leaves. If you’ve ever wondered how to help beyond worrying, we cover easy reporting tools like invasive species hotlines, EDDMapS, iNaturalist, and CFIA resources so your photos can turn into early detection. 

If you care about protecting forests, camps, and communities from invasive pests and tree disease, subscribe, share this with a friend who buys firewood, and leave a review so more people find the show.