Burn & Bloom

Aleena Sarikaya

Welcome to Burn & Bloom! A space where AI, space tech, and environmental science meet the next generation of changemakers. We explore how technology and teamwork are transforming wildfire detection. Join us to discover stories of resilience, collaboration, and innovation as we turn sparks into lasting change. About the Podcast The countdown is over; the time to act is now. But this journey is more than just tech. It’s about people, passion, and hope. Burn & Bloom is a space dedicated to learning from challenges, embracing collaboration, and inspiring change in wildfire detection technology. Whether you are an AI researcher, environmental scientist, or innovator, this podcast is your platform to connect and collaborate. Together, we’ll explore how technology and teamwork can save our forests and combat climate change. Key Themes Tech for Good: Uniting AI, space tech, and environmental science to predict and fight wildfires.Collaboration & Growth: Learning from failures, finding strength in community, and growing through every challenge.Changemaking: Connecting human passion with technology to reach a better future. Rising from the burn. Growing through the bloom. Reaching toward a better future. Thank you for being part of this journey. Be the first to listen to every episode when it drops!

Episodes

  1. Sep 13

    How Video Game Technology Sparks Next-Gen Wildfire Training ft. Evan Sitler-Bates

    Could video game technology change the future of firefighting? When firefighters and emergency responders face dangerous, unpredictable situations, realistic training isn’t just helpful, it can save lives. In this episode of Burn and Bloom, we explore how VR, XR, and AI are transforming fire safety with Evan Sitler-Bates, co-founder and CEO of XpertVR. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How VR is changing firefighter training: Why immersive simulations offer realistic, hands-on practice beyond slides, videos, and limited live-burning exercises.How AI could improve wildfire response: How AI models may help predict wildfire spread, evacuation patterns, and the resources communities need.Why realistic data matters: How LIDAR scans, vegetation data, terrain, and 3D environments make emergency training more accurate.What the future of emergency training looks like: How mixed reality, AI patients, and virtual firefighter teams could create new ways to prepare for emergencies.How young innovators can make an impact: Evan’s advice on experimenting with technology, building projects, and learning from the communities they want to help. Timestamped Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Evan Sitler-Bates and XpertVR04:25 - Evan’s journey from 360 video and VR research into firefighter training08:05 - How authoring tools, AI, and mixed reality could shape the future of emergency training16:01 - How XpertVR is developing immersive training for wildfire leadership and response22:02 - How 350 San Diego firefighters trained with XpertVR over 21 days29:02 - The truth about VR training costs, realism, setup, and technical support34:19 - The future of AI patients and virtual firefighter teams37:34 - Evan’s advice for startups building technology for the fire safety industry About Evan Sitler-Bates: Evan Sitler-Bates is the co-founder and CEO of XpertVR, a Canadian company that builds VR and XR training simulations for fire departments and safety organizations. He's spent nearly a decade working alongside firefighters and safety experts to develop realistic, scenario-based training tools that help departments prepare for the calls that matter most. XpertVR works with 50+ fire departments across North America. About XpertVR:  XpertVR builds VR/XR training simulations for fire departments and safety organizations across North America. We've been at it for close to 10 years, bootstrapped, Canadian, and focused entirely on high-stakes training environments where traditional methods fall short. Our platform puts trainees inside realistic incident scenarios so they can practice decision-making, hazard identification, and emergency response before they face it for real. We work with 100's of fire departments and are actively expanding into industrial and manufacturing safety training. Connect with Evan and XpertVR: Website: https://xpertvr.ca/LinkedIn: XpertVR on LinkedInSocial media: @XpertVR across social platforms Support the Show: Subscribe to Burn and Bloom on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.Share this episode with someone interested in technology, firefighting, wildfire safety, emergency response, or protecting the planet.

    How Video Game Technology Sparks Next-Gen Wildfire Training ft. Evan Sitler-Bates

  2. Jul 2

    How Wildfire Education Prevents the Burn and Helps Communities Bloom ft. George Harris

    Wildfires are devastating. But what if technology could turn the tide? When homes and forests face the threat of wildfire, proactive defence isn’t just an option. It’s a game-changer. In this episode of Burn and Bloom, we dive into innovative solutions that could redefine fire safety, featuring George Harris. George Harris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Prodigy Wildfire Solutions, a company redefining wildfire defence for homes, businesses, and communities across Canada, the USA, and Australia. A UK-born engineer with a background in high-end construction and large-scale development, George founded Prodigy Wildfire in Whistler, BC, after witnessing the effects of Canada’s devastating wildfires. His mission: to create reliable, architecturally integrated systems that deliver lasting protection and peace of mind, when it matters most. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How Prodigy Wildfire Solutions manages wildfire risk: How George and his team approach prevention with systems designed to protect homes and communities before disaster strikes.The step-by-step strategy for smarter wildfire defence: How architecturally integrated protection can be built into properties without sacrificing design or function.Why most people fail at wildfire preparedness: Why reactive thinking leaves homes vulnerable, and what to do instead to create lasting resilience. Timestamped Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction and guest background04:15 - George Harris’s path into wildfire defence12:30 - Building integrated wildfire protection systems20:00 - Scaling wildfire solutions across Canada, the USA, and Australia26:30 - George’s number one piece of advice for beginners Connect with Prodigy Wildfire Solutions: Website: www.prodigywildfire.com Learn More About Prodigy Wildfire ProtectionLinkedInFacebookInstagramYouTube Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Youtube Every bloom begins with a burn. See you in the next one!

    How Wildfire Education Prevents the Burn and Helps Communities Bloom ft. George Harris
  • 2 Episodes

About

Welcome to Burn & Bloom! A space where AI, space tech, and environmental science meet the next generation of changemakers. We explore how technology and teamwork are transforming wildfire detection. Join us to discover stories of resilience, collaboration, and innovation as we turn sparks into lasting change. About the Podcast The countdown is over; the time to act is now. But this journey is more than just tech. It’s about people, passion, and hope. Burn & Bloom is a space dedicated to learning from challenges, embracing collaboration, and inspiring change in wildfire detection technology. Whether you are an AI researcher, environmental scientist, or innovator, this podcast is your platform to connect and collaborate. Together, we’ll explore how technology and teamwork can save our forests and combat climate change. Key Themes Tech for Good: Uniting AI, space tech, and environmental science to predict and fight wildfires.Collaboration & Growth: Learning from failures, finding strength in community, and growing through every challenge.Changemaking: Connecting human passion with technology to reach a better future. Rising from the burn. Growing through the bloom. Reaching toward a better future. Thank you for being part of this journey. Be the first to listen to every episode when it drops!

Information

  • Creator
    Aleena Sarikaya
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aleena Sarikaya
  • Show Website
    Burn & Bloom