Claim OwnershipWildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
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Description
We discuss accidents, incidents, innovation, efficiencies and just about anything to help reveal risk and improve performance in the wildland fire service.
42 Episodes
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Erik Apland and Travis Dotson explore “outliers” in wildland fire – unusual incidents that highlight less-discussed hazards and how we prepare ourselves to respond to events we don’t expect.
To read more about each of the incidents mentioned, follow the links below:
Three Creeks Fire Electrical Shock: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/three-creeks-fire-electrical-shock-2025
Oregon Mop Up Electrical Shock: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/oregon-mop-up-electric-shock-2025
Ninetyeight Fire Boating Accident: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/ninetyeight-fire-boating-accident-2025
Controller Bay Airboat Incident: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/controller-bay-airboat-incident-2025
Aggie Creek Fire Spike Camp Hit by Tree: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/aggie-creek-fire-spike-camp-hit-by-tree-2025
Trees Falling on Tents Blog Post: https://wildfirelessons.wpcomstaging.com/2025/08/26/trees-falling-on-tents/
Structure Protection Specialist Hunter Bell III discusses his unusual career trajectory into wildland fire, and shares lessons on structure protection principles and the use of sprinklers to effectively protect structures without causing water damage.
This discussion is a follow-up to Hunter’s blog post: https://wildfirelessons.wpcomstaging.com/2025/06/02/structures-get-flooded-can-we-rethink-our-tactics/
Download Hunter’s Structure Protection Handy-Dandy: Structure Protection Tactics Guide | Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
Sprinklers for Wildland Fire Structure Protection Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QloMXNhsBA0
Crew Captain Ben McLane describes what values-based leadership in the wildland fire service can look like in 2025. Listen in for some tangible tips on leading in a way that produces high-quality performance and maximizes well-being.
This discussion is a follow-up to Ben's blog post: https://wildfirelessons.wpcomstaging.com/2025/05/20/humble-accountability/
Orlando Genao and Erin Hurley discuss their recent multi-month detail experiences at the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) with Travis Dotson, the LLC’s Analyst. Orlando served as the LLC’s Acting Director, and Erin worked as the LLC’s Acting Operations Manager. Listen as they share their expectations, experiences, and takeaways from time spent working at the LLC.
Erik Apland and Travis Dotson discuss stories and insights collected by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center in 2024. This episode focuses on the specific takeaways highlighted by events in the field over the past year.
Travis Dotson, Erik Apland, and Rebecca Sorensen discuss “unplanned leadership moments;” decisions that need to be made when the boss isn’t there.
Kelly Woods visits with Larry Sutton, Jim Cook, and Chris Wilcox to capture their reflections on the 30 years that have passed since the watershed 1994 fire season when the wildland fire community lost 34 firefighters in the line of duty. That season changed the trajectory of the wildland fire program and was a catalyst in the development of many things we take for granted today. Larry, Jim, and Chris provide their perspective on what was happening culturally at that time and as these significant changes began. They also share lessons on how to be an agent of change.
Kelly Woods and Travis Dotson visit with Riva Duncan and Dr. Patty O’Brien about some considerations when deciding to seek therapy, how to find a therapist, and how to get the most out of the experience when working with a therapist. The conversation covers many topics about mental health, including personal experiences related to therapy and the importance of having a support network.
Travis Dotson and Kelly Woods talk about lessons the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center received in learning reviews and reports in 2023. Travis highlights some themes and shares his unique insights on data. Throughout the conversation, Travis and Kelly reference the Annual Incident Review Summary and the latest issue of Two More Chains which feature many of the lessons discussed and provide links to the source material. These documents can be downloaded at lessons.wildfire.gov.
Erik Apland talks with Erin Phelps and Kat DuBose about wildland fire presumptive illness legislation, some lessons associated with filing a cancer-related claim with the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, and firefighter exposure to environmental hazards. Erin and Kat define what presumptive illness means for wildland firefighters and share their insights on when someone should file a claim, how and when additional illnesses may be added to the list, and what the agencies are doing to address wildland fire health and wellbeing.
Kelly Woods visits with Tyler Doggett in a candid conversation about some of the mental health difficulties that often accompany a career in wildland fire. Tyler openly shares his story which includes a chance search and rescue, a shattered femur, battles with alcohol, and the loss of loved ones. It also includes the power of gaining perspective, seeking help, healing, and hope.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 988.
Incidents central to Tyler’s story:
South Canyon Fire 1994: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/south-canyon-fire-entrapment-fatalities-1994
Bishop Fire 2020: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/bishop-fire-seat-fatalities-2020
Travis Dotson and Erik Apland discuss the most recent issue of the quarterly publication Two More Chains centered on the wildland fire worker. Travis and Erik talk about the history and explore a few of the hot buttons we face today as fire seasons and the workforce change. Download the issue at: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/two-more-chains
Kelly Woods and Travis Dotson discuss the latest edition of Data Points that focuses on UTV fires. Data Points is the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center publication designed to highlight a collection of similar events that signal a need for specific action. The action recommended here: Equip all UTVs with an accessible and serviceable fire extinguisher. Data Points can be found on our website: www.lessons.wildfire.gov. Click on the products tab on the menu bar.
Kelly Woods and Travis Dotson discuss incidents featured in the latest issue of Two More Chains, the quarterly publication produced at the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center. Each of the featured incidents involves firing operations. Their lessons are diverse and meaningful. More information on each of these incidents can be found on our website, www.lessons.wildfire.gov. Click on the Incident Review Database tab and start searching.
Two More Chains | Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (wildfire.gov)
Kelly Woods and Travis Dotson discuss lessons collected at the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center in 2022. The centerpiece of the conversation is recent analysis of incident reports and learning reviews submitted by the field. Listen in to discover new information, action you can take, and nuances to facilitate learning.
Kelly Woods talks with Sarah Fisher and Chad Fisher about what learning in the wildland fire service means to them. Sarah and Chad describe their different experiences landing them both near the top of their respective organizations. They each discuss their path and the lessons they learned along the way. Throughout the conversation, Sarah and Chad highlight their perspectives on learning and legacy. They also provide a glance into their world balancing careers and family time.
Travis Dotson talks with Brian Crowley about his experience during the entrapment and fire shelter deployment on the Bridger Foothills Fire in Montana in 2020. Brian offers some perspective, not only on surviving as options disappear, but also on supporting each other during the tough times.
To read the Bridger Foothills Facilitated Learning Analysis visit: Bridger Foothills Fire Entrapment and Shelter Deployment 2020 | Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (wildfire.gov)
Kelly Woods talks with Travis Dotson about lessons gathered from wildland fire incidents occurring in the 2021 fire year. This conversation centers around the Annual Incident Review Summary, a yearly publication based on an in-depth review and analysis of accident reports from the previous fire year. Tune in for some wild stories and a few handy lessons from real-life events.
Follow along or plan your next training day with the 2021 Incident Review Summary
Kelly Woods talks with Beth Lund and her daughter Allison Lund about the dynamics of two generations of the same family forging careers in wildland Fire. They highlight how even though things have changed across the years, that which grounds them remains the same. Beth and Allison also offer insights on leadership, identity, difficult decisions, and family.
Kelly Woods talks with Erik Apland about his assignment to read all of the entrapment reports housed in the LLC Incident Review Database. Erik provides perspective on the evolution of reports spanning over a century. He highlights how old reports contain modern topics and he also provides some unique thoughts on PPE. In addition, Erik discusses how reading the reports has changed him and will affect his future actions.
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I just started a Wildfire Academy course, hoping to get hired this season and you guys have given me so much food for thought. Thank you for your openness and great insight.