The Hotshot Wake Up

The Hotshot Wake Up
  • 0.0 (0)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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/

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    The Sandy Fire Is An Early Season Wake Up For California. It's Time To Take Fuel Mitigation Seriously. Seven Cabins Fire In New Mexico Now 16,000 Acres.

    On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe 👉https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The Sandy Fire in California is an early season wake up for the State. Urban interface fires will only increase, and fuel mitigation is a major step that residents and the state need to take seriously. A conversation about the harsh reality of the changing conditions, the wildland urban interface, and the pre-fire work that needs to be done. The consequences of doing nothing are greater than people realize. Full nationwide wildfire update: The Seven Cabins Fire in New Mexico continues to grow. California, Minnesota, Colorado, and more. California Hotshot crews are starting to shotgun out to multiple incidents. The wildfires in the plains of America will have greater downstream effects than most understand. (cattle production and viable grazing lands) Researchers at Brown University studied a wildfire in Africa that burned at an elevation of 13,000 ft, the highest wildfire in Africa in 12,000 years. Greece launches the first ever national wildfire satellite array. The system was brought into orbit by SpaceX. 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.

    49 min

  2. 3 MAY

    Instead Of Telling Wildland Firefighters To "Make It Work," We Need To Help Them "Make It Work Better." Continued staffing and fleet issues. These are fixable problems.

    On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and Support:👉 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full operational update. Hotshot crews are still having issues securing the vehicles they need to operate at the level they are being asked to. Reports of dozens of Type 3 Engines that remain unstaffed. Canada cancels $106M wildfire satellite contract with American company. Trade war actions leaking into wildfire? Wildfire aviation fuel costs are on the rise, and concerns from wildfire CEO’s about a shortage. A rant about the irony of all the problems in wildland fire, including mental health, staffing, physical health, and the old trope of “make it work,” doesn’t help with these issues. 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.

    58 min

  3. 30 APR

    USDA Submits 2026 Wildfire Directives And Seasonal Wildfire Priorities. Senators Send Letter With Questions About Forest Service ReOrg. Full wildfire operational update:

    On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👉https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full wildfire update Fires in Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, and Montana USDA Secretary Rollins provides the 2026 wildfire secretarial memo. It covers priorities for the 2026 fire season and directives for the Forest Service moving forward. I go over the priorities, including initial attack, surge capacity, secondary fire positions, fuels work, prescribed fire, and more. Senators sent a letter this week to the USDA demanding answers about the Forest Service reorganization. There are some very valid questions about R&D, clarifications on office locations, and employee duty stations. I cover all that and 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.

    1hr 2min

  4. 25 APR

    Party Balloon Starts Wildfire That Burned Down 120+ Homes In Georgia. Bear Jaw Crew Disbanded In Arizona. Getting A Hotshot Crew Qualified. Wildland firefighter fatality in Florida.

    On today’s show: To Support And Subscribe: 👉https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full operational update of all wildfires. The causes of the Georgia wildfires have been announced: the Highway 82 fire was caused by a birthday balloon, and the other by someone welding. There was a firefighter who died after responding to a Florida fire. Updates from Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and the Southwest fires. Definitely keep an eye on the Hummingbird Fire in the Gila Wilderness, and an interesting fire. The Bear Jaw Crew in Arizona has disbanded after 2+ decades. New Mexico continues to work towards two new Hotshot Crews. A conversation about standing up a new Hotshot crew and maintaining quals. Japan has its 3rd largest wildfire in its history, and Canada sees multiple fires in BC. 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.

    47 min

  5. 17 APR

    The Future Of Wildfire Tech And The Wildfire Technology Summit: A Conversation With Western Fire Chiefs Association CEO, Chief Mark Niemeyer.

    On Today’s show: To subscribe and support: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/👉 I cover the wildfire technology summits I attended in both Nevada and Boise. I sit down with Chief Mark Niemeyer to discuss what the Western Fire Chiefs Association is doing to bring together Agencies, wildland firefighters, and technology companies to facilitate a proactive approach to tech adoption in the wildfire world. They are taking a four-phase approach to address the following strategic mission outcomes developed in the Phase 1 Summit with Agency leadership. Interagency coordination and common operating picture Strategic planning, funding, and workforce development Cultural shift to proactive wildfire management Technology and data integration for intelligence Community and landscape resilience and hardening Post-fire recovery and adaptation The next phase will take place in Salt Lake City in October. If you want to know where the wildfire tech revolution is headed, this is well worth the listen. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ 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.

    29 min

  6. 31 MAR

    Forest Service Announces Reorganization Plan: Deputy Chief Of Fire And Aviation Management, Sarah Fisher, And Associate Chief Of The Forest Service Chris French Join To Provide Details.

    On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, the Forest Service officially announced its reorganization plans. I interviewed Deputy Chief of Fire and Aviation Management, Sarah Fisher, and Associate Chief of the Forest Service, Chris French, to get the details of the plan. There is a lot that is taking place, including the relocation of the Forest Service headquarters, and Research and Development will be moved as well. They are moving away from their Regional model and will transition to a more state-based model. This reorganization will take place in phases, and all Regional Offices will be closed. Some will be repurposed, including Juneau, Alaska, Vallejo, California, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Wildfire operations will continue to operate mostly as is, and Sarah Fisher provides those details as well. I thank the Deputy Chief and the Associate Chief for their time in explaining this process to the listeners. 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.

    36 min

  7. 29 MAR

    Helicopter Pilot Tries To Take Out Drone Over Active Wildfire With Bucket Drops. Drone Owner Fined $5K New Court Documents Reveal. Forest Service to cut red tape, Europe opens new wildfire center.

    On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ It was revealed in court documents this week that a helicopter pilot tried to take down a hobby drone over a wildfire with bucket drops. The pilot was between drops, protecting homes, when he spotted the drone. The judge in the case fined the drone operator $5K, well below the recommended amount, set forth in the Wildfire Act. The drone pilot argued he didn’t know firefighters and pilots were engaged in the massive inferno. A conversation about the growing issue of hobby drones over wildfires, and the lengths firefighters and pilots are forced to take to mitigate them. Forest Service Chief Schultz sends out a memo declaring an end to red tape and cumbersome mandates, and putting decision-making back in the hands of operators on the ground. Europe launches new wildfire center and is working to expand funding for mitigation, aviation, and training. Huge wildfire aviation conference in Rome. California HOA sues homeowners for $23,000 and tries to foreclose on properties burned down in the Eaton Fire. A full operational update and a rant. 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.

    44 min

  8. 20 MAR

    Pre Season Jitters: A Conversation About Training, And What My First Day On A Hotshot Crew Was Like. Minnesota Woman Fined $150K For NOT Calling In A Wildfire.

    On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ As we head into crews coming on, a conversation about pre-season jitters. I talk about how I and others trained for the season, the first day on a Hotshot crew, and what was expected versus the reality. The jitters are normal; it means you care. A Minnesota woman was fined $150,000 for not calling in a wildfire that started on her property. The MN DNR doesn’t usually fine large amounts, maybe this is their way of setting an example? Full story. Fires are popping up across the western United States. Multiple new starts in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico. Full Operational Update as we increase to a PL2. 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.

    38 min
See All (195)

About

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/

Information

  • Creator
    The Hotshot Wake Up
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Hotshot Wake Up
  • Show Website
    The Hotshot Wake Up

You Might Also Like