The Hotshot Wake Up The Hotshot Wake 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.



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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.



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After a mayday call went out on the Oklahoma fire yesterday, we learned this morning that 2 firefighters were burned.


The fire started as a “controlled burn” before 55MPH winds caused it to blow up.


Colorado learns that Red Flag days now mean your power gets shut off.


What’s the solution?


Also, Fortress Retardant loses USFS contract after new environmentally friendly retardant is found to eat the aircraft that use it. Multiple tankers taken out of operation for the 2024 season because of it.


What does it do to your skin…?


A retardant industry war…


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: 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.

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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.

On today’s show: {to subscribe:} https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/


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.