The Hotshot Wake Up

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Full Operational Update For Wildfires Across The West: Colorado Still Very Active And Under Red Flags, Progress Being Made In The Southwest And Utah. Jul 02, 2026

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On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

A full operational update of all fires across the nation.
Colorado fires expect extreme fire behavior again today. Red flag conditions continue across much of the Region.
Progress is being made on most of the fires across Utah and the Southwest. A breakdown of year-to-date wildfire numbers in Utah compared to last year. Less fire, more acres.
New Mexico reports the warmest start to a year ever on record.
The Transportation Safety Board provided an update on the cause of the wildfire aviation accident in Canada.
New study on what keeps people from evacuating a wildfire zone, and overall preparedness.

I have been looking for fundraisers for the three firefighters killed on the Knowles Fire in Colorado. Two are available for Emily Barker and Nicholas Hutcherson, and I am still looking to see if there is another for Sydney Watson or the two others injured.

Emily Barker Fundraiser

Nicholas Hutcherson Fundraiser

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Colorado Declares A State Of Emergency: Nation Moves To A Preparedness Level 4. Full Update On National Wildfires And Agency Updates On The Knowles Fire Burnover. Jun 29, 2026

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Colorado has declared a State of Emergency due to the wildfires actively burning across the State.
The National Preparedness Level moves to 4.
Updates from the USWFS and Forest Service on the burnover event on the Knowles Fire.
Wildfires continue to make large runs across Utah. The Pocket Fire in Arizona increases to over 11,000 acres.
A conversation about current wildfire conditions on the ground.
Plus more.

Today, The Forest Service And USWFS Announce New Steps To Reduce Hazardous Exposure To Wildland Firefighters. Decontamination, Smoke Mitigation, Mask Use, And Mop-up Exposure. Jun 24, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, along with the Department of the Interior, today announced new steps to reduce hazardous exposure for federal wildland firefighters. These actions include expanded access to N95 respirators on the fireline, required training, and standardized decontamination protocols, such as showers and Nomex cleaning.

There is also direction on reducing exposure to extended periods of mop-up.

I welcome Erin Phelps, Deputy Director of Risk Management with the Forest Service, to discuss everything in the release. Erin is no stranger to the fireline, working on engines, Hotshot crews, and as a rappeller before taking a more direct role in policy and management.

There is a lot to cover, and plenty of questions. Deputy Director Phelps helps answer those questions and provides all the details on what it will look like moving forward.

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Nation Moves To A PL3: Human Remains Found After Washington Wildfire. Incendiary Devices Found At Wildfire In Colorado. Wildfire Helicopter Fire During Bucket Drops. Jun 18, 2026

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The Hotshot Wake Up is 100% supported by the readers and listeners. Thank you.

The National Preparedness Level increases to a PL3
Wildfire bust across much of the West. Full operational update.
Human remains found after the Upriver Fire in Spokane. Sheriff reports individuals refused to evacuate.
Incendiary devices were found by Forest Service firefighters on a Colorado Fire. Also in Colorado, a helicopter lands after a fire in the cockpit while conducting bucket drops.
State of emergency declared in Oregon and Washington.
Idaho wildfire fund runs out of money.
Reports on Rhabdo and burn injuries during the California prescribed burn.
Watch Duty back up for Cal Fire personnel. Plus more.

Forest Service To Offer Early Resignation Incentives With Ongoing Reorganization. Fire Engine Crash Leads To Multiple Civilian Fatalities. Firefighters Injured By Exploding Slash Pile. Jun 10, 2026

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On Today’s Show: 100% listener and reader supported. To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Full operational update. New fires in Colorado, Utah, California, and the Southwest.
The Forest Service has reinstated early retirement incentives as part of the reorganization plan. Both VERA and VSIP options are being offered.
High level operators from the Forest Service have started to accept positions in the United States Wildland Fire Service leadership. What are the long term effects if unification doesn’t happen?
Two civilian casualties after an engine responding to a wildfire collides with a civilian vehicle.
Firefighters responding to an escaped slash pile burn in the Pacific Northwest were injured after the pile exploded.
Plus more.

The Wildfire Contracting World: Starting A Company, The Issues, Policy Changes, The Stereotypes, And More. A conversation with one of the most dialed in operators, Derrick Holdstock. May 21, 2026

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Today, I talk to Derrick Holdstock, owner and operator of Western Fire Resources. Derrick has been very proactive in the contracting and wildfire world, recently returning from a trip to D.C.

Before he started Western Fire Resources, Derrick was a wildlife biologist who practiced prescribed fire and later served as the Regional Fire Coordinator for West Texas, covering one third of the state. He also worked as a biologist for the Bureau of Land Management before venturing into the contracting world.

Derrick is highly versed in everything related to wildfire and the industry. We talk about current issues in contracting, policy, starting a company, the stereotypes, and a lot more.

The Sandy Fire Is An Early Season Wake Up For California. It's Time To Take Fuel Mitigation Seriously. Seven Cabins Fire In New Mexico Now 16,000 Acres. May 19, 2026

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The Sandy Fire in California is an early season wake up for the State. Urban interface fires will only increase, and fuel mitigation is a major step that residents and the state need to take seriously.
A conversation about the harsh reality of the changing conditions, the wildland urban interface, and the pre-fire work that needs to be done. The consequences of doing nothing are greater than people realize.
Full nationwide wildfire update: The Seven Cabins Fire in New Mexico continues to grow. California, Minnesota, Colorado, and more. California Hotshot crews are starting to shotgun out to multiple incidents.
The wildfires in the plains of America will have greater downstream effects than most understand. (cattle production and viable grazing lands)
Researchers at Brown University studied a wildfire in Africa that burned at an elevation of 13,000 ft, the highest wildfire in Africa in 12,000 years.
Greece launches the first ever national wildfire satellite array. The system was brought into orbit by SpaceX.

Instead Of Telling Wildland Firefighters To "Make It Work," We Need To Help Them "Make It Work Better." Continued staffing and fleet issues. These are fixable problems. May 03, 2026

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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.

USDA Submits 2026 Wildfire Directives And Seasonal Wildfire Priorities. Senators Send Letter With Questions About Forest Service ReOrg. Full wildfire operational update: Apr 30, 2026

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On Today’s Show: To Support And Subscribe 👉https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

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.

Party Balloon Starts Wildfire That Burned Down 120+ Homes In Georgia. Bear Jaw Crew Disbanded In Arizona. Getting A Hotshot Crew Qualified. Wildland firefighter fatality in Florida. Apr 25, 2026

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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.

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