Outdoor, Environmental & Cultural Storytelling

About Kate

Old letters and smoke-filled memories turned into chapters that share my adventures as a hotshot in my memoir Dances With Fire. While working as a wildland firefighter in the late ‘80’s and early 90’s, I knew the circumstances of my summer job were extraordinary.

Back then, Google did not exist. If I had read a hotshot’s job description before taking the job, I would’ve dropped it like a hot potato. No thank you! But, taking it a day at a time, the good with the bad, the rewards of the work, and the camaraderie kept me coming back.

After graduating from the University of Oregon, I taught high school English for 10 years. While sharing important literature with students, I realized the importance of story to inspire each other to push beyond our comfort zones. I wrote my own story of crossing the threshold into the unknown as an ordinary person faced with extraordinary circumstances.

We have an obligation to care for our planet and our people. When I’m outside, usually with a four-legged friend nearby, I learn things from nature when I pay attention. I’m curious about matters of the heart and challenges for the soul—and love when they’re framed in a good story.