Summit Reads 2018 Community Reading Project: “Smokejumper”

04/21/18

The Summit County Libraries are excited to announce that the

Summit Reads community project is back this spring, with a new book, new events and new speakers.

The book chosen by the Summit Reads planning committee is “Smoke Jumper,” by Jason Ramos and Julian Smith. This memoir of veteran smokejumper Ramos offers an inside look the lives of airborne firefighters who parachute into remote areas to battle nature's dangerous fires.

“We’re pleased to be bringing Ramos to Summit County to talk about the dangerous and amazing world of smokejumpers, who are considered the vanguard of wildfire firefighters,” said Summit County Libraries Director Joyce Dierauer.

The Summit Reads program is now in its eighth year, encouraging residents to read works on topical matters and inspiring discussions and elucidation.

In addition to a traditional book discussion about “Smokejumper” at The Next Page book store in Frisco on April 10, the libraries also will be hosting two panel discussions about the realities of wildfire here.

“We have lined up panels of experts who will be able to help all of us understand the threat and what we can be doing to be prepared in case a big wildfire like some we’ve seen throughout Colorado and the West,” Dierauer said.

All of the events are free and open to the public. Copies are available for purchase at all 3 Summit County Libraries as well as the Next Page Books and Nosh in Frisco.

Events schedule:

Panel discussion: What to do when the wildfire is here
When: Wednesday, April 4 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Mt. Royal Room, County Commons Building, 0037 Peak One Drive, Frisco

"Smokejumper" book discussion
When: Tuesday, April 10 at 10 a.m.
Where: Next Page Bookstore, 409 Main St., Frisco

Talk with a Smokejumper's Wife
When: May 1 at 6 p.m.
Where: Colorado Mountain College, 107 Denison Placer Road, Breckenridge

Panel discussion: Preparing for wildfire
When: May 23 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Buffalo Mountain Room, County Commons Building, 0037 Peak One Drive, Frisco

Want to learn more about wildfire? Download a copy of this useful bibliography with various book titles dealing with the topic of fire for all ages.

Need more wildfire information specific to Summit County? Visit the Summit Fire & EMS website.