On Today’s Show: Subscribe to support the show: 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Dr. Luke Montrose, assistant professor of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University. His work focuses on the health effects of wildfire smoke, and he studies how human behaviors and environment affect the way our bodies read DNA. We discuss his ongoing study, which focuses directly on wildland firefighters and their reproductive health when exposed to...

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I am honored to welcome Chief Brian Fennessy, who has a long and distinguished wildfire career that has led him to become President of the California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) and Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority. We had a very candid conversation about the ongoing issues with the Forest Service’s aviation supervisor policy that made the news last week. Chief Fennessey lays out what he is seeing on the...

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The Wall Street Journal published an article claiming that Bridger Aerospace is being attacked by predatory short sellers and political opponents. I cover that story and reached out to the parties involved, Montana Senator Jon Tester and Bridger Aerospace Founder and Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, to get their comments on the matter. A hiker in Oregon lit multiple fires after getting lost in the forest. These...

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I welcome the founders of FiredUp Partners, a wildfire advocacy group working to advance real solutions for wildland firefighters nationwide. They have recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they worked on the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, better housing, benefits, and more. We discuss the realities of working with Congress and the Agencies right now and what the future looks like. It’s a...

On Today’s Episode: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Extreme fire behavior continues across the United States. Firefighters stranded after a bridge burned over. Multiple fires had firefighters moving into safety zones due to fire behavior. Fires in Idaho burned 12+ miles in just hours; Wyoming fires merge, burn through subdivisions, and injure civilians. All while resources are limited and have begun shutting down for the season. Update on Orange County...

On today’s show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Jessie Thomas of Sustainable Wellness. Jesse has a wealth of knowledge and experience as a former Lolo and Flathead Hotshot turned Missoula Smokejumper of 8 years. We discuss reviving your gut health after fire season, maintaining your physical and mental health to allow for a long and successful fire career, raising kids in a fire family, and a whole lot more. Jessie, founder of Missoula,...

On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ While traveling after a shift on The Airport Fire, a crew buggy rolled over on a California Freeway. They swerved to avoid a ladder that was in the middle of their lane—8 total injuries, with six firefighters in critical condition. I cover the Forest Service’s all employee call this week. They discussed the cuts to the seasonal workforce, training budgets, and what they expect Congress to do. They expect...

On Today’s Episode: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Investigation into the nearly 10,000-acre Alexander Fire leads to arrest in Colorado. The suspect was allegedly impersonating a firefighter and law enforcement. He was pulling people over, pulling weapons, and driving around in a fake fire department truck. The suspect personally contacted me on social media after the fire started—an insane story. Firefighter found unresponsive in Oregon after found sleeping...

On today’s episode: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ A state of emergency has been declared due to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with a few clues available. Unreal story of multiple Hotshot Crews declining an assignment due to safety concerns, then demobed. Other crews were brought in after the fact to complete the same declined assignment. They also refused and were asked to leave the Team...

On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full Operational Update I go through the entire report released on the Little Twist Fire tree strike in Utah that left a Bonneville Hotshot pinned under a tree and severely injured. We get his perspective on the incident and how he stayed calm to calm his crew down. Two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, have banned PFAS forever chemicals in firefighter Nomex. California had a similar bill this week but...

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...

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

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. ...

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...

On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com I had a conversation with Bobby Blaine, who is hiking the 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada on the Continental Divide Trail. Bobby is a member of the American River Hotshots, and he got his start on a trails crew before joining the apprenticeship program on a type 6 engine in the Pacific Northwest. He then joined the Elk Mountain Hotshots before finding his home on the American River. Bobby discusses his love for hiking,...

On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ There have been multiple injuries and tree strikes on wildfires in California, Alaska, and in Wyoming. One led to a C-Spine fracture. Complacency can creep in, stay dialed and keep it tight. I cover the reports on the two firefighter fatalities this week. Should we start using military helicopters for crew transports and external cargo mission? A conversation about moral when sh*t hits the fan. A...

On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ CalFire engine rolls over en route to wildfire in Oroville. Multiple injuries, however, no fatalities after a horrific crash. Northern California goes PL3. Bitterness inside the Forest Service between fire and non-fire employees boils over. “Don’t reply all”… Yeeeeesh. Full operational update. Plus more THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. Your support allows us to...

On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Firefighters were robbed while working at the Upper Applegate Fire in Oregon. Gear, saws, and everything else were stolen. Police are searching for suspects. This morning, a permanent wildfire pay fix was inserted into the DOI appropriations Bill, which also includes other very interesting requests. From Subcommittee Chair Rep. Mike Simpson: "The bill also provides over $330 million to permanently address Federal...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full update on the New Mexico fires. Official fire reports listed the fires as human-caused for 2 days. The Agency spokesperson says that was an automated computer error. CIMT spokesperson said they were told the fires were both human and lightning caused during their inbrief. The local mayor of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, is quoted as saying, “It’s my understanding these fires were intentional.” 2 confirmed fatalities,...

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I spoke with the folks from NFFE Wildfire about The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, where it is in the process, their trip to D.C. next week, and everything else they have been working on. Thanks to Max Alonzo, Andy Vanderheuel, and Steve Gutierrez for the great conversation about the issues wildland firefighters are still dealing with, their wildfire background, and what the public can do to help get this legislation...

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...

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...

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...

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...