Above photo: Nov 1938 fire burns toward 1904 Arrowhead Springs Hotel in San Bernardino

“Burning Wild” opens Dec. 19 at the San Bernardino County Museum

Redlands, CA – Since prehistoric times, the human relationship with wildfire has continuously evolved. A new exhibit at the San Bernardino County Museum, “Burning Wild,” invites visitors to explore these relationships and challenges preconceived notions of wildfire in the natural environment. The exhibit opens Dec. 19 in the museum’s Hall of Biodiversity and will continue into Fall 2018.

“Native Americans recognized that fire played an important role in maintaining ecological balances,” said Tamara Serrao-Leiva, the museum’s curator of anthropology. “Over time, with the expansion of the built environment, this relationship has been reinterpreted. Fire prevention, fire suppression, hazard reduction—all these factors have been both championed and discredited. In ‘Burning Wild,’ we ask museum guests to think about the human/wildfire interface and be inspired to advocate for responsible conservation.”

The interdisciplinary exhibit encompasses cultural and biological perspectives. Photographs, archival materials, historical objects, and interactive elements combine to immerse visitors in the story of wildfire with a focus on inland Southern California.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.