The Hotshot Wake Up

On today's Show:  https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Fred covers his background and the history of the crew. We discuss fitness and endurance athletics. We get into mental health, morning meditation for the crew, and how the crew handled tragedy when it came unexpectedly. We discuss the crew’s close connections with the Veteran world and even hosting David Goggins as a crewmember. What cr...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ In a meeting with County Officials, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore admits 45% of the workforce has left in the last 3 years. We discuss the meeting and other admissions and comments on upcoming projects and contractor use. The Wildfire Commission releases its preliminary findings and recommendations for aviation and more. WE cover the findi...

On today's show, Dr. Robin Verble joins me to discuss the report she recently released on environmental health and mental health in wildland fire dispatchers around the nation. It’s amazing to see the similarities to the same issues that operational folks are seeing, including retention, mental health, recruitment, issues with HR, and so much more. A very enlightening conversation.

On today’s show, J Gilmore joins me to discuss all sorts of interesting topics. Her early career. Transitioning into wildfire Working with the public as a Public Information Officer. The importance of prevention work and campaigns and what that looks like. Her work with TNand8TN and helping family and partners understand the job we do. Fitness and training. What her experience has been like as a w...

On today’s show: We cover the Hotshot superintendent AAR that took place this week. We talk about the issues discussed, the information that’s coming, and the problems some folks saw last year. We get into the Hotshot pilot programs and where those are going. The standardization of all crews nationwide and also the issues that have come about with the new push for prescribed burning during the off...

On today’s episode: We talk with Shawn Borgen, Superintendent of The Flathead Hotshots. His journey into wildfire. The Crew’s history culture, and beginnings. We discuss the Deer Park incident which took place in the Sawtooth mountains of Idaho. He takes us step by step through the medical extraction that was anything but routine and the $2,500 can of chew that resulted from it. As someone heavily...

On Today’s Show:  A Senator in New Mexico introduces Bill to ban prescribed fire in the Spring. The Law, if passed, would prohibit prescribed burns from ANY Government body. Huge implications if passed. These are the ripple effects of the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak Fires. CalFire arrests record number of arsonists in 2022. A 10% increase year over year and nearly a 100% increase in the last...

On today’s Episode: A dispatcher has admitted to starting 24 wildfires this year. He blames severe depression and “wanting to do something for the boys.” Amazing story. Rotor Technologies tests pilotless helicopter platforms specifically for wildfire operations. Says it can be used for multi-mission options. Cargo, recon, crew shuttles, and meteorology data gathering. The Wildfire cloud. Artificia...

Forest Service switching the entire fleet to electric vehicles. The test fleet is now in the field. The Good, The Bad, and the obviously fucked. Towing is a massive issue with these vehicles. Charging challenges. An arsonist arrested last night in California decked out in Smokejumper Gear… fought multiple firefighters and police officers. What’s Known, what’s still unknown. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT...

On today’s show: We discuss the balance of rest\recuperation and remaining dialed in the postseason. Stories from my experience and coworkers’ experiences of getting into trouble in the off\season. Smokejumper ends up in Mexican jail after a border incident and the updates I’ve received. Plus, much much more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to...

On today’s show We give a full update on new details that have emerged in the Oregon Burn Boss arrest. The Blue Mountain Eagle in Oregon received new documents that provides new details of what happened leading up to the burn and after. Operational update Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to generously donate to firefighter charities and suppor...

On today’s show: Tree poachers start a wildfire in the Northern Boreal Forest this week. Officials say it’s become a “rampant problem”. Kind of looks like what California’s harvest season looks like. Is your Christmas tree poached? Kansas has a 10 mile long fire. Crews moving into the South again. Obscure fires. Crackhead in Colorado starts a fire. Found shirtless flapping at the fire. Wildfire Fa...

On today’s show: A Conversation with Chief Randy Moore, Why That's Important. A Communication outside of Congressional hearings is critical to the workforce. Canadair Scooper Crashes, Two Pilot Fatalities. Aviation accidents continue to surprise this year. Are Firefighters Becoming Desensitized to Death? Operational Update. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers....

On today’s show: We cover the developments of the Oregon arrest of a Burn Boss after a prescribed fire spotted onto private land. What’s known, what I’ve heard, what folks on the ground are saying, and a full discussion about the future repercussions. Take a collective deep breath. Operational update Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to generou...

On Today’s Show: Outside Magazine suggests that suicide in the wildfire community is driven by longer fire seasons due to climate change. I set the record straight. We also discuss the items they get right in the article. Defensible Space: San Diego is putting together defensible space workshops in their community. It’s a group effort. Make it a neighborhood project. We talk Structure triage and m...

On today’s show: Does California have a retardant problem? Why don’t we see more water based tanker systems used? How to become a SEAT Pilot? Dauntless Air lays it out and suggests expanded training for the industry. They have basically created something similar to a Hotshot Crew’s critical 80 training. Montana Has Figured Out Managed Fire, finally. The State and the Administration are now welcomi...

On today’s Show: Congress questions Forest Service and Department of Interior on pay and loss of benefits. The right questions are finally being asked. Still waiting for action. A Wildfire Tax, It's Not an Idea Anymore, It's Here. States Voting to Increase Sales Tax to Pay for Wildfires. $117M Settlement in the Camp Fire Case, All Going to Gov. and Not the Victims? The payout seems to favor the bi...

On today’s Weekly Wildfire Update: Oregon Scraps Mandated Wildfire Risk Map Due to Inaccuracies. Starting over from scratch. Residents concerned about insurance and compliance measures. California mandates insurance companies cannot cancel polices of people effected by recent wildfires. Details and repercussions. Wildfires are Increasing AND Decreasing. It all depends on the timeline. A new paper...

On this Weekly Wildfire Update: Wildfire Commission Meets for the first time in Salt Lake City Utah. Behind Schedule and after the first meeting some questions remain unanswered. Can this commission produce meaningful solutions? Fire Aviation company finds new runway forward. They are looking to go public and expand their business. Operational Update: Northwest still active with large fires. Weath...

On today’s Weekly Wildfire Update: California Fires Go Big. The Mosquito goes nuclear. Nationally a PL4. Will we see a PL5 this month? Idaho, Montana, and the Pacific NW very active. Many “managed” fires ordering Teams. The Tim Hart Act Update. Keep Your Mind Active and Don't Get Complacent. Make goals for the off season. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. I...

On Today’s Weekly Wildfire Update: Full operational update. The heat event rolls through and causes problems. Report on Injured Hotshots Due to Bucket Drop on the Calf Canyon. Full details and report. How it happened and my take. Investigation Starts Due to Laser Pointers Directed at Moose Fire Pilots. Personal drone shuts down British Columbia fires. Snaptember, Stories and Suggestions. Plus more...

On this week’s Weekly Wildfire Update: National Update. A slow spell, but a warming drying trend is coming. New Mental Health Legislation Passed, A Strange Reaction. What is in this law and what it means. Global Council Wants Worldwide Wildfire Standardization. My Thoughts. Who does this effect? Who is behind it? How to Beat Midseason Burnout. Some ideas on how to shake the mental and physical eff...

On today’s Weekly Wildfire Update: Full Operational Update. Oregon and Nor Cal pop off. Managed fires everywhere! Dragon Firefighters Finds Evidence in Missing Person Case from 2014. How Many People Disappear in Forests Each Year? More than you think. A New Stadium Sized Fire Surveillance Balloon. New Tech tested on the Moose Fire in Idaho. PANIC: Get Rid of It. We have a conversation about panic...

On This Weekly Wildfire Update: Full Operational Update. A slight lull in US wildfire activity. Drying trend returning. Europe has a very busy week. Nasa Funds a New Drone for Resource Tracking on Wildfires. They want to integrate an Interactive Chat and Video platform that can also predict column movement. Problems With Coal Seam Fires. Whether it’s the Dakotas, Montana, or Russia coal seam fires...

On This Week’s Weekly Wildfire Update : Region 6 Pops, R1 Rips, and Texas burns. Also British Columbia fires and the McKinney in Nor Cal. Are Environmentalists Making Wildfires Worse? The Environment Research Center in Bozeman Montana says yes. Litigation, delays, and confusion is roadblocking projects and prescribed burns. New Clunky Respirators for Wildland Firefighters. What do they look how, h...