On Today’s Show: Subscribe: 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

• Chief Moore has strong words for the Feds regarding the increased cost of living and falling behind on inflation costs. Updates the rent rebates.

• He says there is hypocrisy in the system as BLM firefighters are getting cost of living increases, but FS employees living in the same building are not.

• Forest Service has a massive hole in their budget… nearing 3\4 of a billion dollars.

• Cal Fire arrests another arsonist after starting the Thompson Fire, which burned up 13 homes and evacuated thousands.

• The DOJ sued An excavator company in California because their machines hit a rock, and sparks started a fire. This will set a very consequential precedent.

• Full operational update: it’s snowing in California!

• 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.

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• Balloons are once again flying over Idaho fires. I cover why they are there and what they are doing.

• An arsonist started another fire in Grass Valley, California. They were released from jail just hours before.

• How to get hired on a Hotshot Crew. I answer the questions people have been asking.

• Overhead vehicle burned on the Limepoint Fire in Idaho. Leave your keys in the truck.

• A Canadian territory is completely cut off after a wildfire burns up the railroad connecting it to the rest of Canada.

• There is a small lull in wildfire activity; no… wildfire season is not over.

• Full operational update.

• 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/

Dr. Amber Ortega is an air quality meteorologist, wildland fire smoke specialist, and atmospheric chemist with nearly two decades of experience researching, forecasting, and managing smoke. She serves as the Regional Smoke Coordinator at both the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest & Alaska Forest Service Regional Offices. Driven by a desire to bridge the gap between researchers, regulators, and field operations, Amber aims to enhance fire personnel support, improve smoke fluency, and facilitate harmonious relationships with fire practitioners, air quality, and public health agencies. She's an Air Resource Advisor, aka Smoke Specialists that are dispatched to incidents to support Incident Command Teams with smoke concerns.

Previously, she was the Duty Officer for the Smoke Monitoring Program at the Rocky Mountain National Fire Cache, part of the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. She served as a prescribed fire smoke manager and air quality meteorologist for the State of Colorado. Prior to civil service, as a Department of Energy Office of Science Fellow, she investigated the intersection of fire, weather, and air quality, focusing on smoke emissions from deferring fuel types and their interactions with the environment.

Her research spans ground- and aircraft-based smoke measurements across notable locations, including USDA Missoula Fire Sciences Lab and Manitou Experimental Forest Observatory, UC-Berkeley Blodgett Forest Research Station, NASA Airborne Science DC-8 Laboratory, and US Naval Research Laboratory Scientific Development Squadron. She holds an MS/BS in Meteorology (Penn State), a Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences with a Specialization in Analytical Chemistry (CU-Boulder), and a PostDoc in Chemical Engineering (Uni Arizona), earning her the apropos title "Dr. Smoke."

A fantastic conversation.

On this week’s Weekly Wildfire Update:

• Alaska Pops Off. Multiple new starts, Teams ordered. Southwest Still Busy with new starts.
• Heat Wave Coming... Next week is expected to be a wild one.
• Chief Moore Testifies. Promises payments by months end. Who gets them?
• Breakdown of the Hearing. So many topics covered.
• Plus Much More...

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - If you enjoy the content and want to help contribute to firefighters donations for those in need consider a monthly Subscription. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

On this week’s Weekly Wildfire Update:

• Full Operational Update. Alaska, Southwest, Colorado, California. What’s happening at NUIFC?
• Three Hotshots Injured on the Calf Canyon Fire. One severely. What happened and what do we know?
• New Developments on the Raises, What's Known? The NFFE speaks up, but is it hypocritical? The Bureau of Land Management delays this weeks Pay meeting but gives reasons why.
• and Much More.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - If you enjoy the content and want to help contribute to firefighters donations for those in need consider a monthly Subscription. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

On this week’s Weekly Wildfire Update:

• Alaska Starts. Multiple new fires up North. Colorado sees more frequent IA’s. The Southwest continues to burn.
• Firefighter Revives Baby Elk, Hotshots saving horses, and more animal rescue stories.
• Massive Seed Nursery Evacuated. Millions of seed and seedlings moved in a frantic rush.
• Mandatory GPS Tracking for Firefighters. A new poll conducted. What to policy makers want.
• Plus More.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - If you enjoy the content and want to help contribute to firefighters donations for those in need consider a monthly Subscription. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

On This Weekly Wildfire Update:

• Full Operational Update - We update fires in  Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Michigan, New Hampshire and more.
• A Helicopter Manager Reported Missing Found Deceased... What we know. What we don’t know.
• New Study Shows Nearly Half U.S. Homes at Wildfire Risk... Legit? We discuss this study, it’s flaws, and why it matters.
• Raise Questions. I answer the questions people have had on this raise meeting and what is known and not known.
• Plus More.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to generously donate to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. If you enjoy the content consider subscribing. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

This Week’s Weekly Wildfire Update:

• Full Operational Update: The Cali Coastal Fire , Southwest still rips, and Canada sees increase in fire activity.
• Michigan firefighter charged with wildfire arson.
• NPR Talks Firefighter Wages. Marketplace does a segment about the fight for better wages.
• Congress Takes Action. Letter written to the Forest Service about fast tracking wages, Portal to Portal, and more.
• A tree strikes a Hotshot on the Calf Canyon fire. We talk about the incident.
• I get blocked by the Forest Service Northwest. Hilarious.
• Plus more.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to generously donate to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

On this week’s show:

• Full Operational Update. We cover everything in AZ, NM, Colorado, and Texas.
• National Emergency Declared for New Mexico. President Biden declares Federal funds to New Mexico. What does this include.
• Forest Service Chief Testifies. Lots of questions answered, many left alone.
• Huge Study on Firefighter Heart Issues. American Heart Association finished a study on abnormal heart rhythms in firefighters.
• Colorado Sees Record Year Coming. $20 Million extra funding given to combat this.
• Plus More.

Subscribe monthly to our Substack to support this content and support firefighter donations.

On this week's show:

• Full Operational Update of Current Fires. Cooks Peak, Hermits Peak, Tunnel, Crooks, Nebraska, and Colorado fires.
• New Executive Order a Missed Opportunity. We talk about what the EO is and how it missed on a few levels.
• Canada Retention Issues. Canada’s fire unions pleading with policy makers for help. Policy makers turn a blind eye.
• The Scooper Fleet. Canada has dedicated cash to update their existing fleet.
• Oregon Battles DC. Their cooperative agreement expires in 2024 and they can’t agree on the rules.
• Congress Doesn't Get It. No one is taking responsibility for the issues we have.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - We are 100% listener and reader supported through our Substack. All Paid subscriptions to our Substack go towards firefighter donations. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Weekly Wildfire Update: This week we cover…

• Full Operational Update: Tunnel Fire, Cooks Peak Fire, Crooks Fire, and more.
• PL4 in Region 3, earlier than expected.
• The Forest Service Chief Sends a Letter. Thoughts and Reactions.
• Amazon Delivery Drones Cause Wildfire. Research Drone causes Colorado wildfire, and Drone mania in the fire world.
• Bozeman Dispatch Center Closes. What caused it and Dispatcher reactions.
• Wildfire study shows fires are good for our oceans.
• Plus Much More.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP: We are 100% listener and reader supported through our Substack. All Paid subscriptions to our Substack go towards firefighter go fund me's. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

On this episode I cover a subject that we all know about, but many may not understand how to mitigate it. Why do so many wildland firefighters go broke before the next fire season? I offer multiple solutions that can easily be implemented to help you get out of this vicious cycle.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - We are 100% listener supported through our Substack. Subscribe Monthly to support this content. All subscriptions go towards firefighter GoFundMe's. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ 

On this week’s Podcast we cover :

• McBride Fire Fatalities and operational update.
• The Forest Service’s Hermits Peak Fire Apology Tour and operational update.
• Caterer Crisis, Caterers reach out to me.
• Fire Mitigation In California is Broken.
• Forest Service Resignation Goes Viral. Great read and a wake up call to fire Officials.
• PG&E got off easy, but can this problem be solved?
• Line Medics VS Hotshot Crews. A chat with a line medic.
• PLUS MORE!

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - We are 100% listener supported through our Substack. Subscribe Monthly to support this content. All subscriptions go towards firefighter GoFundMe's.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

• Back in February, multiple wildfires were started in the Valparaiso region of Chile. These fires killed 137 people and were the second deadliest fires this century.

• 2 individuals’ homes have been raided, and were arrested after an investigation found a firefighter and a forest supervisor masterminded these fires.

• I called these fires out for arson back in February and was quickly labeled a conspiracy theorist, a climate denier, and space lasers were widely blamed online… Turns out it was one of the deadliest and most malicious acts of arson in world history.

• A month-long plan was made to start multiple fires using homemade incendiary devices during peak summer on the windiest day to cause the most damage. Specific sites were chosen on maps months in advance.

• I also cover the wildfires down in the southwest including the Blue 2 Fire that grew significantly yesterday.

• 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.

This weeks episode covers breaking news :

• Judges Panel Reinstates Employee Mandate
• Forest Service Admits Losing 40% of Workforce in Two Years in Concretional Testimony
• Mental Patient Released After Starting Wildfire in Colorado, Charges Dropped
• McClintock Speaks Again
• Plus More

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - If you enjoy the podcast, articles, and Instagram content please consider subscribing to our Substack.

Paid Subscriptions go towards firefighter Go Fund Me’s. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

This week we cover :

• A Full Operational Weekly Wildfire Update
• Tennessee and Texas on fire
• Wildfire in India Causes Tigers to Eat People
• Boulder Colorado Burns
• "New" Firefighter Registry to Track Firefighter Health
• PBS Pushes Prescribed Burning
• Land Owners with Guns During IA
• And More!

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - If you enjoy the podcast, articles, and Instagram content please consider subscribing to our Substack.

Paid Subscriptions go towards firefighter Go Fund Me’s. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

This week we talk about:

• Preseason trends
• Washington State DNR Commissioner’s aerial build up and IA policy
• Caldor fire debrief and hypocrisy
• Idaho gets Hazard Pay
• Drones take over
• Plus more

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - If you enjoy the podcast, articles, and Instagram content please consider subscribing to our Substack.

Paid Subscriptions go towards firefighter Go Fund Me’s. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

This week we talk about the fires in Texas. Multiple fires have broke out in the last few days. An engine was burned over on Tuesday of this week and two crewmembers are in the hospital with serious injuries.

We cover the firefighter cadre that went to DC to talk working conditions and pay. Smokejumpers sat with the Labor Secretary and discussed Tim’s Act. We cover how it was received.

We discuss the fire shelter stigmas in our industry, the new wildfire commission and more.

Monthly Substack subscriptions help support the content and go towards helping firefighters in need. thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Weekly Wildfire Update : Very Strange Happenings at the Heli-Expo, Sleeping in Bomb Craters, Wildfire Devastates Endangered Red Wolf Habitat, and more.

Crazy discoveries have come out of the Heli Expo this week. Crews Sleeping in bomb craters, North Carolina wildfire runs through the only wild Red Wolf Habitat, and updates on everything wildfire.

Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ 

Weekly Wildfire Update :

This week we cover The Tom McClintock Drama, South Korean Fire Burns Near Nuclear Plant, The Forest Service is Confused About Masks, and more!

Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards helping firefighters in need.

https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

We talk about the new United Nations Wildfire Standards:

• What’s in it and what does it mean for all of us?
• Is it a policy we want?

Argentina’s Fire Bust:

• How big and why it’s happening.

Also hiring, pre season workouts, and more.

Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

This week we cover Colorado’s mass resignation, Pre season hiring and training, building a plan, Tim’s Act progress, and more.

Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Your weekly wildfire update. We talk everything from spring hiring, Big Sur fire, prescribed fire blowout in Texas, mandate rulings, and Type 1 and 2 teams combining.

Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards helping fire fighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

I have a wide-ranging conversation with the Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association, Paul Petersen. The UAFA represents the Aerial Wildland Fire Industry (Airtankers, Scoopers, Helicopters, Retardant, and aviation support) to Local, State, Federal agencies and Congress.

Before his time at UAFA, Paul served as a Firefighter, Engine Captain, Fire Operations Specialist (Battalion Chief), Assistant Fire Management Officer, Fire Management Officer, and Deputy State Fire Management Officer.

It is a fantastic conversation that covers many topics, including the current retardant issues, aviation contracting, working with the agencies, and more.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid Substack 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/

I have a conversation with Dani Shedden, the woman behind Close The Gap Wellness. Dani is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a wildland firefighter who started her counseling career with one goal in mind: to help people find balance and manage their mental health.

It’s a great conversation that expands into all things health and the realities of being a wildland firefighter, a partner or family member of one, and how to better manage those complex relationships and stressful environments.

Dani travels across the country to talk to crews and fire personnel on a weekly basis. Say what’s up if you see her!

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/

• Canada sees multiple holdover fires rekindle.

• Multiple communities evacuated as the fires jumped rivers and highways. An estimated 500k acres burned this week.

• The Southwest starts bringing in IMTs to fires. The Toyo Fire in Arizona prompts a CIMT order with multiple Hotshot crews.

• Region 3 starting to pick up in activity.

• Washington State announced this week that during fire weather, residents should expect their power to be cut off for multiple days on end this summer.

• Wyoming sees insurance rates triple due to “wildfire risk.”

• Full operational update.

• 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/

• Outside Magazine pushes a year-round and nationwide campfire ban as a “symbolic” way to stop human-caused starts.

• Should we ban campfires nationwide? Don’t Forests already have restriction policies in place?

• Power lines, railroads, vehicles, and large debris burns cause more fires than camp fires.

• An April burn over and entrapment in North Carolina.

• Oregon residents sue PacifiCorp Power for $30B over the 2020 Labor Day fires.

• Utility Owner Warren Buffet admits it will likely lead to the power company going out of business.

• Maui sues all major cellphone companies for losing service during the Lahaina fires.

• Your cell phone bill is about to get more expensive…

• 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/

• 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/

Subscribe now

• 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: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

• Colorado pops off. At least 1 civilian fatality and 4 firefighters were injured this week on those fires.

• Severe UTV crash on The Pioneer Fire in Washington, 3 injuries including broken bones and spinal injuries.

• Autonomous drones looking to use public surveillance systems to suppress fires with “packaged water pellets.” They will use food packaging to seal water in individual “water bags” for water drops.

• Drone use on wildfires has tripled year over year.

• Dozer rollover on the Bridge Creek Fire in Washington.

• California class action lawsuit targets wildfire insurance policies.

• 143 structures were lost on the Gwen Fire in Idaho.

• Full 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.

On Today’s Show:

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• 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:

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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: Subscribe 👇

https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

• CalFire investigators announce the arrest of an arsonist who started the Park Fire.

• It’s now the largest fire in California this year.

• Oregon and Washington continue to struggle with a huge amount of wildfire and limited resources.

• Ranchers and private landowners step up to help.

• Oregon Senators sent the Fed a letter asking for additional resources and funding.

• Jasper, Alberta lost up to 50% of all buildings from the large wildfire that came out of the park.

• There was another wildfire aviation crash this week in California. 2 Fatalities were reported.

• Watch Duty removed all Forest Service branding from their website this week. The Agency made the request late last week.

• I spoke to the CEO to get the details on the matter.

• Full operational update.

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.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

• Full operation update. Fires start to wind down around the nation. Canada continues to be active.

• I cover the multiple tree strikes that recently happened in the Pacific Northwest on wildfires. One firefighter was struck in the head, and another was struck while escaping the falling tree, striking their hip.

• Governments decide to go all in on AI systems while abandoning their workforce. Canada welcomes new AI swarm systems and brings in Microsoft to solve detection problems.

• Microsoft says Canada and the U.S. can save money with their AI detection systems by replacing humans…

• California begs insurance companies to come back to the State.

• They sweeten the deal by allowing them to increase rates up to 200% in some rural communities and seemingly allowing them to use Wild Fire Risk Maps to set rates… Something I predicted two years ago.

• THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

• 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.