The Hotshot Wake Up
Episodes
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.
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/It was revealed in court documents this week that a helicopter pilo...
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.
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/As we head into crews coming on, a conversation about pre-season ji...
Record Wildfires In Nebraska, Big Fires Burn In South Dakota, And The Southwest Is Next. The Morrill Fire Nears 600,000 Acres. Fire season is fully underway.
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe And Support: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Wildfires in Nebraska have burned nearly 700,000 acres this week, w...
From Smokejumper To Congressional Candidate. Sam Forstag joins the show to talk wildfire issues and his upcoming election.
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👉https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Sam Forstag joins the show today to talk about his time as a wil...
New Meals Ready To Eat "MRE" Health Study Released: It's Worse Than You Could Imagine. Heavy metals, banned veterinary drugs, Glyphosate and Trenbolone.
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: 👉https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/A new study on Meals Ready To Eat, MREs, was done by the organa...
4 Suspects Arrested In Chile After Widespread Destruction And 21 Fatalities From Wildfires. Zeke Lunder joins for a broader conversation of what is happening on the ground.
24 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Authorities in Chile have arrested four suspects in connection with...
Congress Votes: Should Firefighters Be Able To Shoot Down Drones Over Wildfires? CAL FIRE Test Fully Autonomous Wildfire Vehicles. New study on wildfire smoke and pregnancy.
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/A House committee votes today on whether it should study the eff...
Department Of Interior Officially Creates The United States Wildland Fire Service. Transition plans and authorities announced.
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/The Secretary of the Interior officially announced today the cre...
One Year After The Palisades Fire: Has Anything Changed, What Have We Learned? We need to let operators operate.
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Today's Show: To support and subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/It’s one year after the deadly Palisades Fire. What have we ...
Forest Service Plans To Move D.C. Staff To Salt Lake City As Part Of Reorg Plans. Senators Pen Letter To Chief Schultz Over Hiring And Project Work Numbers.
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Yesterday, USDA Leadership announced plans to move the Forest Serv...
CEO Of Bridger Aerospace, Sam Davis, Breaks Down The 2025 Wildfire Season, Their Expansion Into Spain, And The Future Of The Wildfire Aviation Company.
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, Sam Davis, CEO of Bridger Aerospace, joins the show to talk ...
A Happy Thanksgiving Episode: Things We Can All Be Thankful For As Wildland Firefighters And Their Loved Ones.
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/A very Happy Thanksgiving episode for the wildland firefighter c...
Historic Wildfire Costs During A Near Record Slow Season In Montana, Why? Full Reports On Broken Arm During Rolling Attack In TX And Jump Injury In MT.
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Montana had a near record slow wildfire season, but it was one o...
The 2025 Wildfire Season By The Numbers: Fires, Acres, Aircraft, Crews, Drone Incursions, Equipment, UTFs, Cancellations, And More.
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I cover the 2025 wildfire season by the numbers and compare ...
Recap Of Today's Senate Hearing On The Palisades Fire. Homeowners Testify On Their Experiences And Loss.
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/The Senate Committee on Aging held a hearing today in California...
Some Forest Service Employees Now Working Without Pay. Oregon Power Company Facing Bankruptcy After $55B In Wildfire Lawsuits. $48M raised for wildfire sprinkler company.
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/As we enter the longest government shutdown in history, some For...
The Crazy Story Behind The Ninetyeight Fire Incident. Updates On Shutdown Pay Funding And USWFS Unification And Chief.
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and support 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Shutdown pay funding update for the USFS and DOI. DOI has a long...
PNW Continues To Burn. Dozer Rollover, Engine Rollover, Tree Strike Update, And Thinking On Your Feet On The Fireline. Also, a conversation about life lately.
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I cover all the wildfire activity across the nation and updates on incid...
Building The Next Generation Of Wildland Firefighters With Bryan Kerns. Bryan's work in bringing wildfire into the classroom earned him the 2025 Tennessee teacher of the year.
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/The question on the minds of many agency leaders and supervisors is how to buil...
The Future Of Wildfire Detection, Monitoring, Modeling, And Post Burn Analysis. OroraTech CEO Martin Langer. OroraTech just signed a deal with the State of Idaho for wildfire satellite services.
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To support and subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/OroraTech is a wildfire technology company that provides satellite ...
The Wildfire Workforce, Culture, And The National Wildfire Service: A Conversation With Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia.
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and support: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I welcome the Fire Chief of the Angeles National Forest, Rob...
Rapid Extraction Module Support Teams (REMS). What's All The Fuss About? A Conversation With Robert Sepulveda Jr. Robert is a REMS Leader and helped develop the policy and quals needed for REMS Teams.
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I welcome Fire Captain Robert Sepulveda Jr. to discuss the world of R...
Powerlines Still Energized, Mismanaged Property, Altering Records, And Worse. New CA Lawsuit Points The Finger At The State. Gabriel Mann discusses the new allegations surrounding the Palisades Fire.
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe:👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I’m joined by Gabriel Mann, Director of Hotshot, to discuss the new...
6 Months Since The Palisades Fire: What Happened, And Why? Reporter Brianna Sacks Joins To Discuss The Events That Day. We discuss the potential cause, and trying to get her family out in time.
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Six months ago, the Palisades and Eaton Fires rolled across communities in s...
The 4 Biggest Lies In The Wildfire Industry, With San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey. And the 4 truths...
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To support and subscribe: 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I welcome San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey to...
20 Year Old Wess Roley Named As Shooter In Idaho Wildfire Ambush. New Details Emerge About The Suspect. Remembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To support and subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/20-year-old Wess Roley has been named as the shooter in the Idaho W...
Two Confirmed Deaths, Unknown Casualties In Idaho Wildfire Ambush. Law Enforcement Still Taking Active Fire From Unknown Amounts Of Suspects.
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Idaho Wildfire Shooting Update: To support and subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/The press conference has just finished, with new detai...
Land Sale Proposal Pulled From Budget Bill. Firefighter Burned In Nevada. Mental Health In The WildFire Workforce With Dani Shedden. How to find positivity in your work.
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: 100% community supported, To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/The public land sale proposal has been removed from t...
What's Inside The Proposal To Sell 1.5% Of Public Lands? I Cover This Plan To "Dispose Of" Millions Of Acres. Alaska wildfires pop off, Dozer operator burned in New Mexico.
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/I cover the proposal to sell off up to 1.5% of public lands for ...
Fire In The Sky, Drones For Firing Ops And More: CEO Of Drone Amplified, Dr. Carrick Detweiler. Their IGNIS quadcopter UAS platform is the standard for firing ops across the industry.
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and Support 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I welcome Dr. Carrick Detweiler, founder and CEO of Dron...
CEO Of Watch Duty, John Mills, Discusses Developing Wildfire Tech And The Future Of The Company.
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: I am 100% subscriber-supported, Thank you. 🙏To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/John Mills moved to California a...
USDA And DOI Sign Joint Wildfire Memo. Sec. Rollins Directs Forest Service Wildfire Response In New Order. No Tax On Overtime...?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To support and subscribe👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Yesterday, Secretary Rollins and Secretary Burgum received their ...
23 Years As A Fire Wife: The Struggles And Joys Of Wildfire Relationships. Brittany Culbertson joins to discuss what it’s like to be a longtime Fire Wife.
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To subscribe and support 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/With wildfire couples starting another season and enduring the s...
The Timber Executive Orders: Former NEPA Assistant Director For The USDA, Sharon Friedman, Joins To Discuss The Orders.
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To Support and Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/These last couple of weeks, listeners have been asking for an ep...
Getting Through Critical 80 Healthy, Now What? Sustainable Wellness Through The Fire Season With Jessie Thomas. Jessie is a Former Hotshot, Smokejumper, and now a health and fitness coach.
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and support: 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/I welcome Jessie Thomas to discuss health and fitness through t...
Living In The Wildland Urban Interface: Insurance Costs Rising, Home Hardening, And Wildfire Risk Maps. Stanford Scholar Michael Wara provides a needed dose of reality.
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and support the show 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/With recent developments in Oregon, Idaho, and Californ...
Yes, There Is A Draft Executive Order For Wildfire. Here Is What's In It. Also, Oregon scraps wildfire risk map and Oklahoma Governor wants dissolve wildfire agency.
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/There have been ongoing discussions about major changes in the wildfire worl...
California’s Growing Fuel And Wildfire Problem. A Conversation With Zeke Lunder. Fuels mitigation and prescribed fire are key to the solution.
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Zeke Lunder is a Pyro-geographer. His parents fled the Bay Area for the hill...
Human Lookouts V.S. The Robots... A 35 Year Lookout Veteran, Zeyn O'Leary Gives His Perspective.
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe: 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I welcome Zeyn O’Leary, a 35-year veteran fire lookout who has sta...
The Continuing Resolution Deadline, Wildfire Pay, And Wildfire Legislation. Senator Tim Sheehy Joins The Show To Discuss It All. Deadline for passage is Friday night.
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/With less than 48 hours to pass the Continuing Resolution that locks in base...
Golden Eagles Hotshot Justin DeMoss: The Hotshot Wellness Summit. Mental Health On And Off The Fireline.
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/I welcome Justin DeMoss, current Golden Eagles Hotshot and of Hotshot Wellne...
Getting Fire Ready: JJ Shelley Discusses The Importance Of Nutrition, Sleep, And Health Awareness On The Fireline. Former Marine Infantryman and Arizona Wildland Firefighter.
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/The last time JJ was on the show, we discussed his study on fire lunches and...
Florida's Fire Season Is Here: Dr. Ludie Bond, PIO For The Florida Forest Service, Explains The Current Conditions On The Ground.
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Today, I welcome back Dr. Ludie Bond to discuss the already active Florida F...
Update On The Positions Lost Over The Last 48 Hours. NPS, DOI, FS. The Agencies have gone dark with all communications.
15 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Nearly 7,000 probationary employees were terminated in the last 48 hours acr...
"What's That Pink Stuff?" A Conversation With The Vice Chairman Of Perimeter Solutions, The Sole Retardant Contract Company With The USFS.
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/I have a conversation with Eddie Goldberg, Vice Chairman Of Perimeter Soluti...
A New Wildfire Agency, Massive Grant Cuts, And A Hiring Freeze. An update on all three.
08 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/I cover the proposal for the new National Wildfire Fire Service. This has be...
Hiring Freezes, Funding Freezes, Resignation Offers, And Hypocrisy. How We Got To Where We Are Today. Yes, D.O.G.E. took over your Agency.
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I cover all the wild reforms inside the wildfire agencies over the ...
Moving The Forest Service, A Wildland Firefighter Family Support Program, And Water Bombs. The Fix Our Forests Act
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I cover the President’s visit to the California wildfires, then dive i...
John Gould: 10 Tanker CEO, Alaska Fire Service Manager, Head Of Air Operations For The BLM, And Longtime Smokejumper.
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I speak with John Gould, one of the most respected voices in the wildfire ...
Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy: What Needs To Change After These Historic California Fires. Resource ordering, issues with hydrants, aviation contracts, politics, and more.
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I spoke with Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy about the recent fire...
Senator Tim Sheehy: After The Horrific Fires In California, We Need To Fix The Wildfire System To Support All Americans And Address Pay Issues For Our Firefighters.
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ With the tragedy of the Palisades and Eaton Fires in California over the l...
The Palisades Fire Origin: Investigators Are Looking At A Possible New Years Fire Holdover, Arson, And More. Origin photos show the fire starting off the Temescal Ridge Trail.
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The ATF has taken over as the lead investigator into the Palisades Fire an...
LAFD Chief: City Officials Failed The City And The Department. Confirms Reservoir Was Empty And Department Wasn't Notified.
11 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ In the last 24 hours, the LAFD Chief has commented that Los Angeles city o...
Citizens Tackle And Arrest Arsonist In California Near Kenneth Fire, Curfew Issued In LA Due To Looting, Canada Sends Huge Amount Of Resources.
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ A lot of progress has been made across the California Fires, Palisades, Hu...
California Wildfire Update: Debunking Crazy Theories, What’s Actually Happening, And The Aftermath. Still a lot of work to contain these fires.
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe: 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I give an update on the current situation with the southern California fi...
A California Firestorm: Nearly 100,000 People Evacuated Due To The Devastating Palisades, Eaton, And Hurst Fires. Chaos as multiple fires ravage communities.
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ This morning, I give an update on the fires that started and burned through t...
Wildfire Pay Fix Stripped From Continuing Resolution, Supplemental Pay to Continue. Massive Changes Coming To Wildfire As We Know It. DOGE is now focused on wildfire and the Agencies.
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ After three years of attempts, the final Bill of this Congress strips th...
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell: Head Of The U.S. Fire Administration. A Conversation About The Lahaina Fire, Wildfire Tech, And PFAS Affecting Firefighters.
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe: 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, who heads the U.S. Fire Administ...
Supt. Series: Scott Gorman, Former Dalton Hotshot Superintendent And Current Orange County Superintendent. 27 years of experience, the industry, the Agencies, wildfire, and tragedy.
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe to support👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Scott Gorman, who ran the Dalton Hotshots before m...
Wildfire Pay Bill: I Welcome The President Of The Forest Service Council And NFFE Western Region National Business Representative. Full update on the vote and what firefighters can expect.
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The President of the Forest Service Council, Andy Vanderheuel, and the West...
Smoke Exposure, Wildland Firefighters, And Fertility: Dr. Luke Montrose Discusses His New Study Focusing On This Issue. How does wildfire smoke affect your reproductive health?
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe to support the show: 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Dr. Luke Montrose, assistant professor...
Chief Brian Fennessy: President Of The California Fire Chiefs Association And Head Of Orange County Fire Authority. The Forest Service Aviation Policies, Workforce Shortages, Arsonists, and More.
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I am honored to welcome Chief Brian Fennessy, who has a long and distinguis...
Hiker Charged In Oregon After Rescue Fires Turned Into Wildfires. Is Bridger Aerospace Under Attack? 2 California Congress members write FS Chief Moore, adding to the list.
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The Wall Street Journal published an article claiming that Bridger Aerosp...
A Conversation With FiredUp Partners: What To Expect From The Paycheck Protection Act, The Struggles Of Fire Families, And How To Help.
12 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I welcome the founders of FiredUp Partners, a wildfire advocacy group worki...
A Wild Week Of Fires. Crews Stranded, Civilians Injured, And Multiple Safety Zones Used. Crazy Stories From This Busy Week. California Fire Chiefs Battle The Forest Service Over Aviation.
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Episode: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Extreme fire behavior continues across the United States. Firefighter...
Former Hotshot And Smokejumper Jessie Thomas: Sustainable Health And Nutrition Into The Off-Season, And Raising A Fire Family.
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Jessie Thomas of Sustainable Wellness. Jesse has a wealth o...
Mass Casualty Incident After Crew Buggy Rollover In California. 6 Firefighters in Critical Condition. The Forest Service All Employees Call Details.
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ While traveling after a shift on The Airport Fire, a crew buggy rolled over ...
Arsonist Impersonating Firefighters And Law Enforcement Charged In Colorado. The Arsonist Personally Tried Contacting Me. Your fireline etiquette responses.
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Episode: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Investigation into the nearly 10,000-acre Alexander Fire leads to arrest ...
State Of Emergency Declared In CA, Line Fire Under Investigation. Hotshot Crews Demobed On A Fire For Declining Assignment Due to Safety.
08 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ A state of emergency has been declared due to the Line Fire in San Berna...
Full Review Of The Little Twist Fire Tree Strike. Two States Ban PFAS In Firefighter Nomex. Fire Weather Moves Back In. Major wildfire fatality event in Portugal.
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full Operational Update I go through the entire report released on the Li...
FS Chief Moore Calls Out Hypocrisy With Cost Of Living Increases. Says The Feds Are Not Doing Enough. FS Has A $740M Budget Hole. Cal Fire arrests another arsonist after wildfire destroys 13 homes.
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe: 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Chief Moore has strong words for the Feds regarding the increased cost of l...
Balloons Over Boise Fires, It's Not UFOs. More Arson Fires In CA. A Small Lull, But Fire Weather Moving In. Also, how to get hired on a Hotshot Crew.
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Balloons are once again flying over Idaho fires. I cover why they are there ...
1 Civilian Fatality\4 Firefighters Injured On Colorado Fires. 143 Structures Lost On Idaho Fire. 3 Injured On Pioneer Fire After UTV Crash.
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Colorado pops off. At least 1 civilian fatality and 4 firefighters were inju...
Park Fire Arsonist Arrested In California. Oregon Begs Feds For Help. 2 Aviation Fatalities In CA. Wildfire in Alberta burns down half of the town of Jasper.
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today's Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ CalFire investigators announce the arrest of an arsonist who started the ...
American River Hotshot, Bobby Blaine, And His Hike Across America. Mental and physical toughness, camaraderie, and the positives of being a Hotshot.
20 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com I had a conversation with Bobby Blaine, who is hiking the 3,100 miles from Mexi...
Injuries And Tree Strikes Across Multiple Fires. Wildfire Activity Explodes Across North America. Reports on the 2 fatalities this week, and full operational update.
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ There have been multiple injuries and tree strikes on wildfires in Californ...
CalFire Engine Rollover, Multiple Injuries. The Forest Service “Reply All” Heard Around The World. There is a lot of bitterness… plus full operational update.
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ CalFire engine rolls over en route to wildfire in Oroville. Multiple inju...
Firefighters Robbed In Oregon While Assigned To A Wildfire. Permanent Wildfire Pay Solution Introduced This Morning. Forest Service announces hiring mess, offers rescinded.
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Firefighters were robbed while working at the Upper Applegate Fire in Oregon...
New Mexico Fires Listed As Human-Caused For 48 Hours, Then Removed. Spokesperson Says It Was An Automated Error. Local Mayor says fires were intentional. Investigation continues.
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full update on the New Mexico fires. Official fire reports listed the fires as human-ca...
The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, Where Are We With It? A conversation with NFFE Wildfire members, Max Alonzo, Andy Vanderheuel, and Steve Gutierrez.
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I spoke with the folks from NFFE Wildfire about The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection...
Dr. Amber Ortega, AKA Dr. Smoke. A conversation about wildfire smoke with the leading air quality meteorologist, wildland fire smoke specialist, and atmospheric chemist.
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Dr. Amber Ortega is an air quality meteorologist, wildland fire smoke specialist, and atmo...
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.
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Back in February, multiple wildfires were started in the Valparaiso region of Chile. These...
A Conversation With Paul Petersen, The Executive Director Of The United Aerial Firefighters Association.
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I have a wide-ranging conversation with the Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefi...
Mental Health In The Wildfire Environment With Dani Shedden
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Canada Pops Off: Estimated Nearly 500k Acres Burned. Communications Systems Down Across Northern Canada. Region 3 Orders IMTs To Fires.
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Canada sees multiple holdover fires rekindle. Multiple communities evacuated as the fir...
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.
04 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Outside Magazine pushes a year-round and nationwide campfire ban as a “symbolic” way t...
A Wildfire Hiring Freeze?! Canada Calls National Security Investigation Team After Pipeline Fire. Also, The Retardant Cover-Up.
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Operational update. A longtime and beloved firefighter in Montana dies during a pack te...
After 2 Years, The FEMA Director For The Hermits Peak\Calf Canyon Fire Relief Funds, Resigns. $4B of relief set to expire, Agency “Copied and Pasted” docs from 2000 Fire.
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Two years after the Hermits Peak\Calf Canyon Fire, the FEMA director in charge of the $4 B...
2 Firefighters Burned On Oklahoma Fire, Started As Controlled Burn. Also, Red Flags Now = No Power. Fortress Retardant loses contract after “environmentally safe” product eats aircraft tanks.
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Subscribe now After a mayday call went out on the Oklahoma fire yesterday, we learned this...
Weekly Wildfire Update: East Coast Pops Off, Multiple Teams Ordered. Washington State Scraps Wildfire Risk Map. Says the Maps are unreliable, but there's a lot more to this story.
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full Operational Update. Virginia and West Virginia order multiple Teams. Multiple Compl...
Couple Charged in Death of Big Bear Hotshot Squad Boss, Charlie Morton, After Gender Reveal Starts Fire. Also, WFPPA Update.
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The Eldorado Fire was started by a gender reveal party in California. Thi...
Fires in Chile: 64+ Dead. President of Chile\Governor: “These fires began in four points that lit up simultaneously.” "Could be intentional." Curfew ordered, authorities search for those responsible.
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: {to subscribe:} https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Wildfires in Chile claim the lives of 64 people. Thousands are out of thei...
The Story of The Beachie Creek Fire: Put It Out, Or Let It Burn? Both Have Consequences. Also, PG&E and the Dixie Fire trial. The settlement basically pays itself.
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The story of the Beachie Creek Fire in Oregon. Multiple lawsuits on how the fire was ha...
Wildfire Contractors Accused of Bid Rigging in Idaho and "Drowning" the Competition. FBI Investigates After Wiretaps. Also, Hotshots and Ultra Marathons. A story about cardio and mental toughness.
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The FBI and DOJ indict two wildfire contract companies for bid rigging wildf...
A Conversation With Bridger Aerospace Founder and CEO Tim Sheehy. Wildfire aviation, wildfire policy, and the history of Scoopers.
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ On today’s show: Tim Sheehy, founder and CEO of Bridger Aerospace, joins me to discuss the curr...
Looking Forward to the 2024 Wildfire Season: A conversation with wildfire commissioner Kelly Martin.
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ We discuss the slowly reemerging policy of “put everything out” that has crept back int...
Tracking Firefighters, A Living IAP, Interactive Maps, and Live Fireline Progression. A Conversation with Fire Captain Andy Bozzo, Co-Founder of Tablet Command.
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ On Today’s show, I welcome Contra Costa County Fire Captain and Tablet Command Co-founder And...
The Ever Changing Story of Wildfire Has Confused the Public. Let's Get Back On Track.
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s show: To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I welcome the Director and Producer of Hotshot Movie Gabriel Mann. Gabriel re...
Prescribed Fire is Hazardous and Can Be Deadly. The Argument for Hazard Pay on RX Fire. Also, another entrapment in California and Hotshot injured in Tennessee.
02 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I lay out the case for hazard pay on Prescribed fire. It could actually save money, increa...
A Conversation With World Renowned Knife Maker Bill Harsey. Bill's knives are known around the world by special forces and high level operators.
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Bill Harsey, known worldwide for his award-winning knife designs for both special for...