108 episodes
The Hotshot Wake Up The Hotshot Wake Up
-
- Science
A podcast and newsletter by firefighters about wildfire and the world. Crew Supervisor and Ex Hotshot overhead.
Call it like it is.
Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards supporting this content and helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
-
Arson Charges Filed Against A Firefighter And Forest Supervisor After Vina Del Mar Fire Kills 137 In Chile. Southwest pops off, Blue 2 Fire grows in New Mexico.
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 denier, and space lasers were widely blamed online… Turns out it was one of the deadliest and most malicious acts of arson in world history.
A month-long plan was made to start multiple fires using homemade incendiary devices during peak summer on the windiest day to cause the most damage. Specific sites were chosen on maps months in advance.
I also cover the wildfires down in the southwest including the Blue 2 Fire that grew significantly yesterday.
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. -
A Conversation With Paul Petersen, The Executive Director Of The United Aerial Firefighters Association.
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 Officer, Fire Management Officer, and Deputy State Fire Management Officer.
It is a fantastic conversation that covers many topics, including the current retardant issues, aviation contracting, working with the agencies, and more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid Substack 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. -
Mental Health In The Wildfire Environment With Dani Shedden
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 member of one, and how to better manage those complex relationships and stressful environments.
Dani travels across the country to talk to crews and fire personnel on a weekly basis. Say what’s up if you see her!
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. -
Canada Pops Off: Estimated Nearly 500k Acres Burned. Communications Systems Down Across Northern Canada. Region 3 Orders IMTs To Fires.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Canada sees multiple holdover fires rekindle.
Multiple communities evacuated as the fires jumped rivers and highways. An estimated 500k acres burned this week.
The Southwest starts bringing in IMTs to fires. The Toyo Fire in Arizona prompts a CIMT order with multiple Hotshot crews.
Region 3 starting to pick up in activity.
Washington State announced this week that during fire weather, residents should expect their power to be cut off for multiple days on end this summer.
Wyoming sees insurance rates triple due to “wildfire risk.”
Full operational update.
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. -
A Nationwide, Year Round Campfire Ban… A Good Idea Or A Ridiculous Virtue Signal? Also, Maui sues cellphone companies, and Oregon Utility company likely going bankrupt.
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Outside Magazine pushes a year-round and nationwide campfire ban as a “symbolic” way to stop human-caused starts.
Should we ban campfires nationwide? Don’t Forests already have restriction policies in place?
Power lines, railroads, vehicles, and large debris burns cause more fires than camp fires.
An April burn over and entrapment in North Carolina.
Oregon residents sue PacifiCorp Power for $30B over the 2020 Labor Day fires.
Utility Owner Warren Buffet admits it will likely lead to the power company going out of business.
Maui sues all major cellphone companies for losing service during the Lahaina fires.
Your cell phone bill is about to get more expensive…
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. -
A Wildfire Hiring Freeze?! Canada Calls National Security Investigation Team After Pipeline Fire. Also, The Retardant Cover-Up.
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Operational update.
A longtime and beloved firefighter in Montana dies during a pack test. A shock to the Montana firefighting community.
Canada calls in their National Security Investigation Team after pipeline explosion causes wildlife in Alberta. Past cyber attacks have shown vulnerability to these systems.
After pulling the contract to environmentally safe retardant this month, I cover the 2021 study saying this product was dangerous to equipment and firefighters.
This study was seemingly ignored by agencies, and aviation companies penned a letter to the Forest Service Chief in 2021 saying it could cause catastrophic failure to their aircraft and health issues to their employees.
These concerns seemed to have been ignored by officials for three years. Companies said it was eating their landing gear and causing tanks to not open over wildfires, potentially leading to aircraft crashes. Insane….
Companies expressed that the “environmentally safe” labeling of retardant led to continuing its use and contracting from the agencies.
I cover the firefighter fatalities this week in Mexico.
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.