All Things Wildfire Podcast

Episode Summary In this episode of All Things Wildfire , OP sits down with Steve Slepcevic of Strategic Response Partners to talk about the reality of private wildfire response, home hardening, evacuation planning, and why relying on fire departments alone is not enough during major wildfire events. Steve explains that during large wind-driven fires, municipal fire departments can quickly become o...

Episode Summary Jamie Barker, Public Information Officer for Boulder Fire Rescue, joins O.P. Almaraz on the All Things Wildfire podcast for an in-depth conversation on wildfire preparedness, community resilience, evacuation planning, and the evolving reality of living in wildfire-prone regions. Drawing from Boulder's experience following the devastating Marshall Fire, Jamie shares how wildfire res...

This episode of All Things Wildfire , we sit down with wildfire expert and insurance innovator Paul Brady of Green Shield to break down one of the most urgent challenges facing homeowners today: insurability in wildfire-prone areas . From behind-the-scenes insights into how insurance decisions are actually made (in seconds, not hours), to the emerging concept of conflagration risk , this conversat...

How Hispanic Communities Are Preparing for Wildfires : Insights from Hilda Berganza Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive, especially across California. In this episode, we speak with  Hilda Berganza of the Hispanic Access Foundation about how Hispanic communities are building resilience through culturally relevant education, faith-based leadership, and trusted community networ...

In this episode of All Things Wildfire , OP Almaraz sits down with returning guest Diane Delaney , with Private Risk Management Association (PRMA), to unpack what the insurance industry has learned one year after the Palisades wildfire—and what must change going forward. Drawing from PRMA's nationwide survey of high-net-worth homeowners, Diane reveals a striking disconnect: while over 95% of respo...

In this episode of All Things Wildfire, we sit down with Alison Smart, Executive Director of Probable Futures, to explore why climate literacy is one of the most essential skills of the 21st century, and how it directly impacts the way we prepare for and respond to wildfires. Alison explains how, for the past 12,000 years, our climate was remarkably stable, allowing us to use the past to predict t...

California homeowners are facing a growing wildfire insurance crisis . With rising rates, reduced coverage options, and increased wildfire risk due to climate change and inflation, understanding your insurance options is more important than ever. In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, host OP Almaraz speaks with Sharon Smith , Outreach Analyst at the California Department of Insurance...

In this episode of All Things Wildfire , host OP Almaraz sits down with Brad Sawyer and Robert Clemmons of Marsh & McLennan Agency to unpack the growing urgency of wildfire resilience. Together, they explore practical home hardening strategies, the power of community collaboration, and the often-overlooked complexities of the insurance claims process after a wildfire. Listeners will gain insight i...

Innovative Wildfire Detection: How Firebird and Lindsey FireSense Are Changing Fire Prevention In this episode of All Things Wildfire , we sit down with Tim Dunfee , former deputy fire chief and now fire safety advocate at Lindsey FireSense , to explore a critical innovation in wildfire detection: The Firebird . With wildfires increasing in frequency and intensity—especially in high-risk areas lik...

In this conversation, OP Almaraz and Steve Severaid discuss the ongoing challenges faced by homeowners in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire. They delve into the complexities of insurance claims, the importance of understanding additional living expenses, and the unique difficulties associated with total losses. The conversation emphasizes the need for thorough documentation and proactive communi...

California's Homeowners Insurance is in Crisis Here's What You Need to Know In this episode of All Things Wildfire, OP Almaraz sits down with Robert Feldman, CEO of WOWS Insurance, to break down the skyrocketing premiums, shrinking coverage options, and the wildfire-driven shakeup hitting California's insurance market. Robert   Feldman  is an insurance professional with nearly 25 years of experien...

What if we could detect and suppress wildfires within minutes—not hours? In this episode of All Things Wildfire, we sit down with Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO of Dryad Networks, to explore the cutting-edge technology redefining wildfire defense. From solar-powered IoT sensors that detect fires in their earliest stages to SilverGuard, an autonomous drone system poised to revolutionize fire suppression...

In this conversation, OP Almaraz and Paul Brady discuss the complexities of wildfire risk and insurance. Paul shares his unique background in wildfire mitigation and how it informs his work at Green Shield Risk Solutions. They explore the challenges of modeling wildfire risk compared to other perils, the importance of understanding wildfire behavior, and the innovative solutions being developed to...

In this episode of All Things Wildfire , we explore Wildfire Mitigation and Prevention for Community Managers , a crucial topic for those overseeing managed communities. Join Rich Snyder (Retired Fire Captain, Sierra Madre Fire Department) as they discuss best practices for reducing wildfire risks, improving insurability, and implementing effective fire prevention strategies. This course provides...

In this episode, host OP Almaraz guides listeners through firsthand accounts of a recent, chaotic wildfire event. His guests/staff, Erika and Ally , share their experiences working on the frontlines during the crisis. They discuss the intense days following the wildfire—from the initial panic on Tuesday through the exhausting days of Wednesday, Thursday, and the weekend—when they received frantic...

Podcast Summary In this episode of All Things Wildfire , we dive deep into groundbreaking wildfire protection technology with Gadi, co-founder of FireDome (Adi Naor Pomerantz, co-founder) , and Wade White, retired Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Gadi, a former Israeli Defense Intelligence officer, discusses how military-grade technology is being applied to wildfire mitigation,...

This powerful episode of All Things Wildfire brings together firsthand accounts, expert insights, and actionable advice following one of the most devastating wildfire weeks in Southern California. Featuring Rich Snyder, a pioneer in wildfire mitigation, and the team at Allied Restoration & Allied Disaster Defense, the conversation dives deep into the emotional toll, the importance of community pre...

In this episode of All Things Wildfire , host OP Almaraz welcomes John Mills, the founder of Watch Duty, a groundbreaking app for wildfire alerts. John shares his personal journey, starting with his life off the grid in Sonoma County and how his first-hand experiences with wildfires inspired him to create a tool that could save lives. Watch Duty is designed to provide real-time, detailed wildfire...

In this episode of  All Things Wildfire , the host welcomes Chin Thammasaengsri, a long-time member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Los Angeles. Together, they discuss the critical role CERT plays in disaster preparedness and response, focusing on wildfires, earthquakes, and other emergencies. Chin shares insights into CERT's history, its three-fold mission of self-care, family...

The episode provides in-depth insights into real estate investment , with a strong focus on the challenges and opportunities in California, particularly related to fire-prone areas and property management . The speaker shares personal experiences in real estate investment, insurance claim negotiations, and the difficulties of navigating complex regulations in California. The discussion is framed w...

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Sautel , a former firefighter, author of The Rescuer , and an advocate for mental health in the first responder community. Jason shares his incredible story of rising from a troubled childhood, battling trauma on the front lines, and finding a deeper purpose through faith and service. Key Takeaways: Jason's early firefighting days and a life-changing encount...

In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, OP Almaraz dives deep into the latest developments on California's devastating Line Fire, which has already scorched over 23,000 acres. Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency, and the National Guard has been deployed to help fight the fire. OP breaks down the critical steps you need to take if you're in an evacuation zone, how to prepa...

In this powerful episode, we explore the emotional and transformative journey of rebuilding after a devastating wildfire. Our Jessie Fischer recounts the heartbreaking loss of their vacation home, a place that held countless cherished memories for not only their family but also for hundreds of others who had stayed there. The destruction was not just of a property, but of a beloved space that had...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Valkyrie Holmes, the CEO of Faura, as she delves into her groundbreaking work in wildfire prevention. Discover how Faura is revolutionizing the fight against wildfires through innovative data and satellite technology. Valkyrie shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and her vision for a safer future. Whether you're passionate about envir...

We are excited to bring you the latest episode of "All Things Wildfire," where we dive into groundbreaking strategies and innovative partnerships aimed at tackling one of today's most pressing issues: wildfire prevention and management. In this episode, join our host OP Almaraz as he sits down with two trailblazing leaders in the fight against wildfires: Jeff Huebner, Chief Risk Officer at CSAA In...