The Hotshot Wake Up

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.