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A podcast and newsletter by firefighters about wildfire and the world. Crew Supervisor and Ex Hotshot overhead.
Call it like it is.
Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards supporting this content and helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Call it like it is.
Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards supporting this content and helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
103 Episodes
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On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Operational update.
A longtime and beloved firefighter in Montana dies during a pack test. A shock to the Montana firefighting community.
Canada calls in their National Security Investigation Team after pipeline explosion causes wildlife in Alberta. Past cyber attacks have shown vulnerability to these systems.
After pulling the contract to environmentally safe retardant this month, I cover the 2021 study saying this product was dangerous to equipment and firefighters.
This study was seemingly ignored by agencies, and aviation companies penned a letter to the Forest Service Chief in 2021 saying it could cause catastrophic failure to their aircraft and health issues to their employees.
These concerns seemed to have been ignored by officials for three years. Companies said it was eating their landing gear and causing tanks to not open over wildfires, potentially leading to aircraft crashes. Insane….
Companies expressed that the “environmentally safe” labeling of retardant led to continuing its use and contracting from the agencies.
I cover the firefighter fatalities this week in Mexico.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. Your support allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all of our content. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, and also entered into our giveaways, plus more.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Two years after the Hermits Peak\Calf Canyon Fire, the FEMA director in charge of the $4 Billion in relief funds has resigned.
The HPCC Fire, caused by 2 separate Forest Service prescribed burns, became the largest, most expensive, and most destructive fire in history.
Lawyers for the communities say the Agency copied and pasted relief documents from a fire back in 2000, causing even more delays and rejected claims.
Angela Gladwell has been “moved to another FEMA position” after two years of failure, and residents are still without relief.
After 3.5 months, a new director has yet to be named.
A total botch job. All agencies are on an apology tour.
Plus, full wildfire operational update.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. Your support allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all of our content. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, and also entered into our giveaways, plus more.
The Hotshot Wake Up is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
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After a mayday call went out on the Oklahoma fire yesterday, we learned this morning that 2 firefighters were burned.
The fire started as a “controlled burn” before 55MPH winds caused it to blow up.
Colorado learns that Red Flag days now mean your power gets shut off.
What’s the solution?
Also, Fortress Retardant loses USFS contract after new environmentally friendly retardant is found to eat the aircraft that use it. Multiple tankers taken out of operation for the 2024 season because of it.
What does it do to your skin…?
A retardant industry war…
Plus more
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. Your support allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all of our content. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, and also entered into our giveaways, plus more.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Full Operational Update.
Virginia and West Virginia order multiple Teams. Multiple Complexes established.
Governor puts out an emergency response. Southern Area at PL3.
Washington State scraps its Wildfire Risk Maps.
Says their unreliable and need to be redone. However, defensible space requirements are thrown out because environmentalists say it removes too many trees.
I cover the lobbyists behind this Bill and where it goes from here.
State Farm doesn’t renew 70,000+ policies in California.
Not guilty plea in Canada’s arson cause that caused the largest fire in Nova Scotia’s history.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. Your support allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all of our content. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, and also entered into our giveaways, plus more.
On Today’s Show:
To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
The Eldorado Fire was started by a gender reveal party in California.
This week the couple involved was charged in the death of a Big Bear Hotshot squadie.
Charlie Morton was working the Eldorado Fire when the fire overran his position.
A look at the upcoming Spring fire season.
Bureau of Land Management gets $50M to retrofit existing trucks into Type 6 engines.
Update on the WFPPA stuck in committee in Congress.
Plus more.
The Hotshot Wake Up is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
On today’s show: {to subscribe:} https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Wildfires in Chile claim the lives of 64 people. Thousands are out of their homes, and hundreds are still missing.
Four fires started “simultaneously,” according to the President of Chile and Governor of Valparaiso.
“Possibly coordinated,” and an investigation is underway.
I also cover the payments coming for residents of Lahaina.
Payments are available on March 1st if you drop all legal claims.
Insurance companies from around the planet are suing the school system, Hawaii power company, and telecommunications companies.
Bankruptcy concerns rise.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
The story of the Beachie Creek Fire in Oregon.
Multiple lawsuits on how the fire was handled by the Forest and $1B demanded from the power company.
MIST tactics V.S. full suppression. Safety V.S. engaging. What’s the cost in the end?
PG&E come to a settlement on the Dixie Fire trial.
Did PG&E just pay itself as a result? Where does the money actually go?
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On today’s show: To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
The FBI and DOJ indict two wildfire contract companies for bid rigging wildfire contracts.
Wiretaps led to evidence of collusion, territorial monopolies, and running the competition out of business.
The shady world of wildfire contracts.
I cover the story of three Hotshots running ultra marathons in the off-season.
Mental toughness and high cardio endurance give them an edge in competitions.
How training helps with the off-season blues.
Also, will Region 3 have a busy spring fire season?
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
On today’s show:
Tim Sheehy, founder and CEO of Bridger Aerospace, joins me to discuss the current state of wildland fire, firefighter compensation, the bureaucratic struggles with policy and contracts, and his new book, Mudslingers. Tim takes us through his journey from a Navy Seal to building Bridger Aerospace out of a barn in a Montana valley. A great conversation.
The book is currently available here, and 100% of the proceeds go to wildland firefighters.
Tim is also running for Senate in Montana and would be a strong voice for wildland firefighters in our nation’s capital.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
We discuss the slowly reemerging policy of “put everything out” that has crept back into both the political realm and the tech side of the wildfire industry. A policy that clearly didn’t work. We talk about the importance of bringing operational and field-capable people into these discussions and how pivotal it is to support the base layer of the entire system, our wildland firefighters.
Kelly is a former Hotshot, (ret) Chief of Fire and Aviation at Yosemite National Park, current wildfire commissioner, and vice president of the International Association of Wildland Fire.
I would also like to thank the monthly subscribers to the Substack. I put out over 100 episodes this year and well over 150 articles on wildfire and wildfire issues around the world. I do this in my free time without sponsorships or ads. There are over 14,000 of you in this community that have free subscriptions, and I thank you. If you would like to see this continue into the new year, please consider monthly subscriptions that support everything I do.
Thank and have a happy new year! https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
To subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
On Today’s show, I welcome Contra Costa County Fire Captain and Tablet Command Co-founder Andy Bozzo. We discuss the evolving tech coming to the Wildfire industry and the importance of integrating it with the “old ways” and the expected hurdles along the way.
There is always a place and a time for a certain tool, but how we merge these tools together can save time, energy, and lives.
This system was built to be a mobile incident command and response solution that increases situational awareness, speeds incident response, streamlines incident management, and improves firefighter accountability. It basically allows you to update your IAP in real-time, coordinate resources, and provide a real-time fireline and wildfire progression to resources, all while informing you on possible span of control issues and resources that might be in a tight spot.
A fascinating conversation.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On Today’s show:
To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
I welcome the Director and Producer of Hotshot Movie Gabriel Mann. Gabriel recently attended the Red Sky Summit in California and describes the vibe and vision these companies have for the wildfire industry.
Our conversation hopes to bring clarity to the public about what the needs are in the wildfire world, how folks can work together to accomplish that, and the realities and shortcomings we believe some are missing.
The overall goal should include the protection of our country’s valuable assets, which are our public parks and forests, and supporting those on the ground doing the work. Our lively conversation looks to bridge the gap between Big Tech, the wildfire operators, and the public.
Enjoy.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
I lay out the case for hazard pay on Prescribed fire. It could actually save money, increase retention, and, one could argue, make the RX environment more safe.
In the last few weeks, there have been major and severe injuries on prescribed burns around the Nation.
I cover the fatalities that have occurred in RX burns in the last few years as well.
I cover the Hotshot injured in Tennessee.
There was another entrapment in California. We discuss the report on this incident, why it happened, and how it went down.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
The Hotshot Wake Up is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Episode: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Today, I welcome Bill Harsey, known worldwide for his award-winning knife designs for both special forces and the common man. Bill is a fourth-generation logger whose family moved to Oregon to make their way during the Great Depression. We also discuss his work in the Bull Run watershed, where a large wildfire occurred this fall. This area supplies the drinking water for all of Portland, Oregon.
Bill worked in the steep mountains of Oregon with heavy equipment before finding an interest in knife making after taking his dad’s flat file and trying to make a knife out of it as a boy. Bill has gone on to become one of Earth’s best knife designers used by special operators around the world.
We gave away one of Bill’s knives last year and will be doing another giveaway for paid subscribers this next week. Thanks to Bill and Spartan Blades for donating one of these incredible knives to our community. Bill has been a longtime supporter of the show and wildland firefighters nationwide.
Bill’s knives can be found in:
United States Army JFK Special Warfare Museum, Ft. Bragg, NC.
The US Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, NC.
The Official United States Navy UDT SEAL Museum, Ft. Pierce, Florida.
The International Knife Museum in Seki Japan.
On Today’s Show, https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
I have on Doug Cote to discuss the record-breaking wildfire season in Canada. Doug has a long and extensive wildfire career, including smoke jumping in the Yukon, and now his career is focused on prescribed fire and aerial ignition work in the Northern Boreal forests and working with Indigenous communities to bolster burn programs.
We discuss the wild year that Canada had and what that looked like from the ground. We cover the tactics used up North and the reality of leaving fires over a million acres unstaffed or with limited staffing. We cover the ever-growing cross-border resource sharing that took place with Hotshot crews and teams, and like myself, Doug sees this as an increasing trend.
We also talk about the unprecedented line-of-duty deaths that took place this year in Canada and how they can learn and understand why these took place.
A fascinating conversation.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
I welcome Kelly Martin to discuss the new Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s report to Congress, everything happening with the workforce, legislation, and beneficial fire.
The Presidential Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission was established in 2022. Kelly was one of 500 applicants who applied to voluntarily serve on this 50-member Commission. She was selected to fill the primary seat representing Wildland Firefighters.
Kelly’s 35-year federal career as a wildland firefighter provided invaluable technical and subject matter expertise to the Commission, ultimately obtaining unanimous consensus on comprehensive workforce reforms (see recommendations 84-103 in the Commission report).
Kelly is also the co-founder and past President of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the public, agency officials, and members of congress with real life lived experiences to promote urgent modernization reforms for the federal wildland fire program. Her organization provides education and advocates on behalf of thousands of federal wildland firefighters.
She is also a current Burn Boss for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), mentoring and coaching other TNC employees and nonprofit organizations to help them become more skilled and proficient in applying “good fire” on the landscape. Her current work includes providing leadership for the
Women-in-Fire Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (WTREX) and other Training Exchanges (TREX) events throughout the US.
Beginning in 2024 Kelly will begin her 2 year tenure as President of the International Association of Wildland Fire, a group she has been working with for close to 10 years. IAWF is dedicated to uniting the global wildland fire community in sharing knowledge and expertise through conferences, workshops, and creating position papers relative to contemporary wildland fire issues.
Kelly has extensive experience as a field practitioner serving as a Complex Burn Boss; Fire Behavior Analyst; Operations Section Chief and has served on Type 1 and Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Teams for over 20 years. Her capstone career promotion was becoming and the first female and one of the longest-serving Chief Fire and Aviation Management Officer at Yosemite National Park from 2006-2019.
It’s a fantastic conversation.
Today, https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
We discuss solutions to combat depression and relationship struggles, communication tips for both families and first responders, and ways to transition back to home life successfully.
We also have a conversation about the very different struggles women and men have when working in this industry and for their loved ones. When it comes to guys and gals, the contrasting struggles will surprise many, even those who are first responders. We discuss how to manage these distinct issues and the obstacles they create at home and in relationships.
At the end of the episode, Destiny takes us through a breathing exercise and short meditation that you can use in your personal life.
I hope you all enjoy it.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
After the Wildfire Commission Report, Wildfire Tech Companies started calling for a “new workforce.”
What does that mean, and is it needed? With 3 years of horrible retention and recruitment, why the shift now?
AI wildfire data companies say our forests only have 10 years until they go away. Overblown predictions?
Wildfire wage funding update.
As predicted, war will likely save this Bill.
Full operational update.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On Today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
I am happy to have Mental Health Counselor and Educator Dani Shedden. We discuss the process of reintegrating back into the “real world” after a wildfire season, bad habits to recognize, and solutions for first responders who are struggling.
We also talk about the family side of things and what friends and loved ones can expect, the struggles they have, and communication methods to help their firefighters through this process. It is a great conversation that’s an excellent listen for any first responder and their friends and family.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Prescribed burns are being rushed and crews shutting down early heading into a potential Government Shutdown.
Congress members make a last stand to try and pass the wildland firefighter pay legislation.
Original investors in Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity provide funding for AI autonomous helicopter systems.
Is Elon about to jump head-first into the wildfire industry?
Lockheed Martin joins forces with CalFire in a marriage of the military-industrial complex and wildfire.
Congressman Tom McClintock pushes forward legislation to put out fires immediately and limit managed fires across the country.
Full operational update.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.
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