Thanks to all the subscribers. Couldn’t do it without you folks that help out. If you would like to support what I do, you can subscribe through the link in my bio. Gunna be a busy 2025 wildfire season. Multiple states already way ahead of schedule, with some setting records.

New Start, Washington: The Second Street Fire has quickly grown to an estimated 1,000 acres and jumped Highway 82 outside Benton City, Washington. Strike Teams and overhead ordered, resources are on scene. Localized evacuations are underway from Benton County Sheriffs, including a leave now order for Kiona Village.

New Episode: A Wildfire Season Debrief: Director Of The United States Wildland Fire Service, Chief Brian Fennessy. A straight forward conversation about this season and what’s to come. thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

The Alliance Of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders Sends Letter To USDA And DOI To Advocate For A Unified National Wildfire Service. Calls to immediately centralize and restructure the U.S. Forest Service fire management program. thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

On Today’s Show: * Update on the aviation fatalities on the Dome Fire in California: full operational update. * Forest Service update: They have waved the pay cap, solidifies prescribed fire hazard pay, and updates its wildfire mental health support system. * Wildfire XPrize announced their winners this morning. The top prize goes to defense AI company Anduril for their completely autonomous camera, sensor, drone network that successfully suppressed a wildfire. * With snowpack and drought an ongoing concern across America, the cloud seeding company Rainmaker announced it raised $100M to grow and expand. They say they will use the funds to “reduce wildfires, Terraform Earth, and solve weather.” * Teen charged with homicide in connection to Oregon wildfire. * Canadian wildfire sensor companies are acquiring U.S. based wildfire companies. * Plus more. thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

An Ironic Aftertaste: Wildfire Week Comes To An End In D.C. After An Unexpected Event. So... What’s Next? thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

New Start, California: The Floriston Fire is moving at an extreme rate of spread, with spot fires already reported 1 mile out. The fire is burning in Nevada county, California, and westbound I-80 has been closed. A very large order has gone in for Tankers, helicopters, crews, engines, and dozers. Full response underway. Winds are in the teens, with an RH in the low 20s. This thing is moving.

Senators Demand Answers From The Wildfire Agencies As Entrapments And Fatalities Rise. What’s Missing? Asking How They Can Help. Letter comes on the heels of another wildfire fatality. thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

On Today’s Show: Frustrations have boiled over within the Forest Service as fire supervisors voice concerns about Agency direction, poor facilities, experienced firefighters leaving the ranks, and infighting with line officers. Wildland firefighter entrapments have hit a 20 year record this season, raising further concern about experience levels in middle management. Unease remains about what the future will look like, and there is urgency to “rip the band-aid off” on plans for Agency change. I cover their concerns as they see it. This is the time for professionals on all levels of the Agency to come together and solve these issues, which ultimately affect the boots on the ground the most. Sometimes voicing these concerns is what it takes for everyone to sit at the table and figure out how to move forward. Change isn't simple, and this isn't an easy situation for anyone involved, but cooler heads must prevail. thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

Our wildfire professionals face incredible challenge and risk. They shouldn’t be shackled by bureaucratic sclerosis as they try to protect our communities. Change is hard…but change is coming.

It’s actually a pretty sweet logo. The new official USWFS logo. @USWFS

Congratulations to the men and women of the United States Wildland Fire Service. Chief Fennessy and the USWFS are working hard every day for the American People, the great public lands they serve and the communities they protect to establish a purpose built, mission driven Wildland Fire Service that every firefighter and the American People can be proud of. Today’s wildland fire environment and more importantly, the future wildland fire environment will demand it!🫡 🇺🇸🔥

On Today’s Show: * Putting out wildfires is hard enough, but the constant tit for tat political grandstanding is wearing on the workforce. I express what I’ve been hearing from the boots on the ground. A classic rant. * The Hawk Fire in Nevada announced a fatality this morning. A woman who sustained injuries during the initial day of the fire has passed away. * The Nation remains at a PL5, and we are one lightning bust away from all out chaos again. Full operational update. * BC wildfire says civilians are stealing their equipment used to protect homes. Alberta wildfire charged over the death of a wildland firefighter on the Jasper Fire. * UTV rollover report. Passenger ejected at 30MPH. * Plus more. thehotshotwakeup.substack.co…

You can hear how strong the winds were yesterday that fueled the human caused Hawk Fire outside Reno, Nevada. Twenty structures have been confirmed damaged or lost, and 6 injuries have been reported, 3 civilians, 3 first responders. 90,000 people are under GO NOW or SET evacuation notice, and 10,000 utility customers are still without power. This afternoon, aviation is engaging the fire with 800+ personnel now assigned. Thanks to the subscriber who shared this view of the fire yesterday.