The Hotshot Wake Up

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/

• 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:

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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.

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• 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.

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/

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, 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.

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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.

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, Smokejumpers, Engine Captains, and more. I appreciate their openness about this process, the obstacles that have slowed things down, and the positive outlook moving forward.

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/

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 career in this field. A very illuminating and valuable 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/

• 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 operational update, including new details in Lahaina, Maui.

• 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 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 is this fire season, and why it matters.

• 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 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 happening in towns that have been evacuated due to wildfire.

• We discuss how these crimes cause homeowners not to want to evacuate during disasters.

• 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 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 the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Act.

• 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 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 trees around powerlines. Decides to cut the amount of lines it’ll bury.

• The company says it will prioritize shutting power off instead because it’s cheaper…

• 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/

• 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 systems for IMTs. AI will offer suggestions on how to suppress the fires.

• “The ultimate goal is to have fleets of unmanned systems to autonomously suppress wildfire while managed by IMTs in Virtual Reality.”

• 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 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.

• 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 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 are.

• 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/

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 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 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 is now asking citizens to report suspicious activity around new wildfire starts. Human-caused fires continue to be a problem. Not just in Alberta.

• Yale University says cloud seeding will save the American West and reduce wildfires… interesting.

• 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/

• 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, equity, and climate justice. My thoughts.

• We are approaching the 10 year anniversary of Granite Mountain and the Yarnell fire. Have the promises been kept?

• Full operational update.

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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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 rugged toughness while still recognizing the importance of self-awareness and decompressing.

• Our experiences with mental health and how we each have dealt with “waking up.”

  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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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 Act and wildland firefighter pay.

• 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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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’s next…?!

• 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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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 subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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 partners want as well in return.

• If you are a wildland firefighter or if you are in a relationship with one, this is a must-listen. 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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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

• Arizona starts a satellite tracking program for its crews.

• We talk about the technology and its integration into their programs.

• Firefighters burned over in Idaho. Sustained burns on 65% of their body.

• We cover this incident and talk about common denominators.

• US Hotshot crews are seeing what Canadian tactics look like.

• Is one way better than the other?!

• 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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

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

• Full Operational Update.

• Florida has multiple large fires. Region 3 activity increases.

• Are chainsaw injuries on the rise?! We cover the new lessons learned.

• The people of New Mexico, who lost everything from the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak Fires, still haven’t seen any of the $3.95B approved for relief.

• Canada is having a fire season. U.S. Hotshot crews are on their way, but managers are struggling to get IMT’s to go.

• New legislation was introduced to use leased aircraft for crew shuttles.

• A new market for private fire aviation companies.

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 achieves, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

• Idaho starts training its loggers to fight wildfires. Governor looking to bolster its ranks and heavy equipment contracts.

• Massive $1.6B wildfire lawsuit against PacifiCorp moves forward in Oregon.

• Parent company Berkshire Hathaway is back in familiar territory.

• Montana votes on House Bill 883 to allocate $186M to stage resources locally.

• Sponsors of the Bill say it’s needed because the Feds are slow to suppress and bring in resources. Huge implications for Montana firefighting companies.

  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 Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Spring fire season is here. The East Coast, Florida, and the South get busy.

The Southwest, Region 3, goes PL2.

Forest Service gives job series and wage increase updates.

Department of Interior is moving forward with series implementation before FS.

A new clear air rule makes prescribed fire more difficult.

More Exemptions are needed to conduct burns if implemented.

An Agency VS Agency battle.

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 Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

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

• Full Operational Update

• Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado see a busy week of wildfire.

• New Mexico pops a 300-acre fire.

• A new Bill was introduced to limit the number of funds available to the Forest Service for wildfire management. We provide details.

• Secretary of DOI told to “do more with less.”

• Plus, much 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 Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

I talked to Dani Shedden, of Close the Gap Wellness. We cover a full array of topics that many firefighters, first responders, and even their loved ones experience in these professions. With the beginning of the fire season coming, it’s well-known that this is the time of year when relationships start to hit a rocky point. We talk about communicating these issues and discussing expectations, and how to alleviate assumptions.

We also talk about substance abuse in these professions, and one that’s not talked about very often, which is body dysmorphia in firefighters and first responders.

An excellent show all around.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP: Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

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

On Today’s Show:

• We cover the 2022 Fire Season Accident and Fatality summary.
• Many categories are up.
• As we have discussed frequently, aviation and helicopter accidents and fatalities are drastically up.
• Swamper injuries surpass sawyer injuries. Very abnormal.
• On a 10-year average, overall fatalities are up.
• Full operational update.
• Plus more.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP: Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

On today’s episode: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

I talk to Brian Crowley, Captain of Cañon Helitak. We discuss helitak and drones on prescribed fire, their role in search and rescue, and the qualifications needed. We get into just how many people actually go missing in our forests and parks every year. We also talk about Brian’s experience on the Bridger Foothills fire, where he and his crew had to deploy and ride out the wildfire from inside their shelters. This story is amazing and offers us perspective on what it’s actually like, how it affects you mentally, and the aftermath when the fire is still burning.

I got goosebumps.

THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP: Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.