The Hotshot Wake Up

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 se...

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,...

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...

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...

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 int...

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...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Firefighters with NFFE sit down for a roundtable conversation about the Paycheck Protection Act. We discuss the upcoming vote, how to support it, and what’s in it. They were very honest and open about the next steps involved, what comes after getting this passed, and the future of the Tim Hart Act. This conversation includes former Hotshots,...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Jason Forthofer joins us to talk about what’s happening at the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab in Montana. Jason is an Engineer, Researcher, and wildland firefighter with robust on-the-ground and operational experience. We dive into new tools and tech coming out of the Fire Lab, how AI can be used and its shortcomings, as well as how to find a car...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ While investigating a wildfire in California, authorities find a body. This leads to multiple murder charges and reveals a web of crimes that led to a large wildfire. FEMA says they have run out of money. Demands more money as they cut off past relief to wildfire victims. They blame wildfires and an unprecedented disaster season. Full operati...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I cover the story of The Elkhorn Fire. This fire started on July 24th in Idaho and was an incredible incident. A story of deployment sites, point protection, fast thinking, evacuating rafters, and overcoming adversity. This is a fascinating story of stress and success in an unforgiving environment. Pay Cliff and legislation update. How slow i...

On Todays Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full operational update. The town of Medical Lake in Washington is devastated. Up to 184 homes were lost. 1 fatality was reported. Paradise Montana evacuated, River Road East Fire jumps the Clark Fork River. Lahaina, Maui update. We cover the newly released report of the Hotshot Buggy that flipped over driving down the highway. Looting happeni...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The mass amount of ridiculous claims surfacing on the Lahaina fires in Maui, Hawaii, have taken over the internet. I got through these and destroy them. I discuss what the likely cause is and how the events unfolded. The Lahaina Fire is now the most deadly and devastating wildfire in United States history. Full operational update. Update on t...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full operational update. Very busy around the nation. Southwest moves to a Preparedness Level 4. New fires in the PNW and Northern Rockies. Texas and Colorado looking to be busy. What is it like raising a family while a wildland firefighter? One Smokejumper and Hotshot’s story. The challenges of work-life balance. PG&E stops trimming tree...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Oregon and Washington both have major incidents currently. The Newell Road fire went 30,000+ acres in 24 hours. Montana and Idaho became active this week. Colt, Hayden, Bowles, and other fire updates. Arizona and New Mexico still have numerous lightning fires. When Monsoons? Lockheed Martin developing and testing Artificially Intelligent VR s...

On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The wildfire season in the United States is here. Oregon, California, and Idaho pop. The Flat Fire will be the first campaign fire in the West. Full operational update. Insurers in Florida pull out due to extreme weather and wildfires. As predicted… The Oregon wildfire dilemma. The Wildfire risk map is back, along with The Council of 19....

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full operational update. The Pacific Northwest sees multiple new fires. Arizona continues to burn. PL3 in the Southwest. The State of Idaho says 50% of their wildfire workforce are first year employees. Safety concerns arise. An independent study says Nomex contains PFAS and PFAS-like chemicals. We discuss this paper and what these chemicals...

On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ We chat with Gabriel Mann about his upcoming film,  Hotshot . This is an amazing movie that deserves a large audience. We discuss his work, wildfire culture, media culture, and more. The movie is expected to be out in August of this year. A wonderful and sobering conversation. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP -  Thank you to all of our paid subscriber...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The pay cliff is now 12 weeks away. NFFE had a big week in D.C. The Ambassador to Canada has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian government. This will streamline intelligence sharing, satellites, drones, and cross-border operations. A huge step towards international wildfire response dispatching and cooperation. Ontario...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The FBI arrests a California arsonist responsible for the 2022 Oak fire. Over 197 structures and 20,000 acres were burned. The Hotshot Community loses another young fit firefighter. Prayers to Jacob Metcalf’s family. The DIO and USDA put out a joint statement on their “strategic wildfire funding plan.” It includes a plan for wages, diversity,...

On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ We have a conversation with Pioneer Peak Hotshot Superintendent Kris Baumgartner. The crew just returned from an assignment in Alberta, Canada, and we discussed that experience. We talk about Hotshot culture and everything that comes with it. Old school V.S. new school and what can we learn from both. The importance of grit, tenacity, and...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ There is a sea of conspiracy and misunderstanding about what’s going on with the wildfires in Canada. We cover all of these things and provide professional insight into what’s actually happening. What is a fire-resilient and fire-reliant landscape? This is important to understand. Is this all unprecedented? Also, and update on the Tim Hart Ac...

On today’s show, we have a conversation with Dr. Melinda Adams. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Melinda Adams, Ph. D. belongs to the  N’dee  San Carlos Apache Tribe and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science and Indigenous Studies at The University of Kansas. She is a cultural fire scholar and practitioner on encouraging public participation in pres...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I asked the audience to create an 11th Standard Fire Order. The responses are great! A prescribed fire escape in Oregon. I cover the details of this burn. Criminal Charges are dropped in the PG&E Zogg Fire case. Classic California wildfire lawsuits and politics. ANOTHER insurance company drops policies in California due to wildfires. What...

On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ State Farm stops new insurance policies on homes in California due to wildfires and the climate emergency. What this means for residents in rural areas. Did wildfire risk maps play a role?! Erickson Skycrane can now operate at night after NVG certification. Full operational update. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid...

On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ We welcome Destiny Morris. She is a relationship therapist and works with wildland firefighters, their partners and provides real-world solutions for them. We cover everything no one wants to say out loud. We discuss the wide spectrum of addiction and vices and talk about what wildland firefighters want from their partners and what their...