Toxic Trails: What Fire Leaves Behind in Air, Soil, and Water

In Toxic Trails, moderator Lisa Micheli leads a powerful discussion with panelists Katie Simmons (Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Butte County), Sarah Ali (Managing Director – Philanthropy, R&S Kayne Foundation), and Kevin Goss (Supervisor District 2, County of Plumas). Together, they examine the lasting environmental and public health impacts of wildfire disasters—addressing toxic debris, soil and water contamination, air quality, and the complexities of long-term recovery. The conversation highlights how science, local leadership, and community collaboration are driving solutions to rebuild safer, more resilient communities after fire.

 

 

MODERATOR:

Lisa Micheli
Lisa is a passionate and dedicated environmental scientist with over 15 years of specialized experience in climate mitigation and adaptation, water resources, and biodiversity conservation. She has worked in government, with agriculture and industry leaders, and leading non-governmental organizations to advance the charge towards net-zero emissions and to enhance the resilience of those most vulnerable to climate and wildfire threats. She is an expert at facilitating science-based convenings focused on resilience solutions that often bring together unlikely partners and elevate leaders of historically marginalized communities.

 

PANELIST:

Kevin Goss
Kevin Goss is the Plumas County, District 2 Supervisor, currently serving his third term. Supervisor Goss has lived in Plumas County since 1973. He owned and operated the Village Drug Company, the local pharmacy and one of the four cornerstone historic buildings in Greenville until it burned in the Dixie Fire on August 4, 2021. Supervisor Goss retrieved his computer from the burning building as he exited town with his son, then stayed at his home alone throughout the remainder of the fire to ensure it survived. Supervisor Goss was the interim CAO for Plumas County, has been elected Chair of the Board of Supervisors three times, and serves as the Plumas County representative for the Rural County Representatives of California Council. In addition, Supervisor Goss serves on the Plumas County Local Agency Formation Commission, Chair of the Behavioral Health Commission, serves as the Nor-Cal EMS Commission Vice Chair and Co-Chairs the Dixie Fire Long Term Recovery Support Function, Infrastructure Committee. Immediately following the Dixie Fire, Supervisor Goss helped form the community’s long-term recovery group, now known as the Dixie Fire Collaborative. He works closely with the Sierra Institute; a non-profit organization promoting healthy and sustainable forests and watersheds and has worked to preserve and protect the remaining walls of our historic buildings destroyed by the Dixie Fire in conjunction with Team Rubicon.

 

Katie Simmons
Katie Simmons is the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Butte County in Northern California. She oversees long-term wildfire recovery programs, emergency management, hazard mitigation planning, and regional economic development. Katie recently completed a Policy Fellowship with Stanford University on wildfire recovery.