“One Book, One Community” wraps up with timely focus on wildfires

PARK CITY, Utah — A single book is bringing Summit County readers together this summer for conversation, reflection, and action around wildfire awareness and preparation, one of the region’s most pressing threats. 

The “One Book, One Community” program, organized by the Summit County Library and Park City Library, selects a title each year that highlights a topic relevant to residents.

This year’s pick, “Fire Weather” by John Valliant, focuses on the increasing threat of wildfires, a timely topic for Summit County, where recent blazes like the Yellow Lake Fire and the Parley’s Canyon Fire have impacted the local environment, recreation opportunities, and neighborhood safety.

“Fire Weather” was named best book of the year for 2023 by the New York Times, Washington Post, and TIME, as well as being a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award in Nonfiction. The book recounts the story of the devastating 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire in Canada, while examining the broader environmental and human factors that fuel the rise of catastrophic wildfires.

The program will culminate with a free author event on Tuesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. in the Jim Santy Auditorium at the Park City Library. Vaillant will give a presentation, followed by a Q&A session and a book signing.

The “One Book, One Community” program has been running for over 20 years and is supported by the Friends of the Park City Library, the Friends of the Summit County Library, and Dolly’s Bookstore.

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