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The Hotshot Wake Up

The Hotshot Wake Up
Wildfire Management
Wildfires
California
Forest Service
Palisades Fire
Wildfire
Wildland Firefighting
Mental Health
Wildland Firefighters
California Wildfires
Nutrition
Bureau Of Land Management
Meals Ready To Eat
Canada
Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
Moms Across America
Los Angeles Fire Department
United States Wildland Fire Service
Oregon
Wildfire Paycheck Protection Act

A podcast and newsletter by firefighters about wildfire and the world. Crew Supervisor and Ex Hotshot overhead. Call it like it is. Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards supporting this content and helping firefighters in need. thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes205Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNature

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Artwork for The Hotshot Wake Up

Latest Episodes

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

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Full report released for the Lyons Ferry Fire burnover. Comprehensive report details firefighters trying to burn off around themselves before being overtaken by f... more

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

Today, Jon Freeman (USWFS) and Matt Lynde (USFS) join the show to discuss everything about wildfire aviation supervision and coordination, and, if you are interested... more

On Today’s Show: To support and subscribe: thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

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Three wildfires have crossed the international border of Canada and Minnesota, and hundreds of thousands of acres have burned. 183 new starts across Ontario are e... more

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

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New wildfires are popping up in the Pacific Northwest and California. Southern California moves to a Preparedness Level 3.

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A lot of progress is being made ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jon Freeman
Aviation supervisor
U.S. wildfire aviation programs (BLM/Forest Service)
Episode: The Eyes In The Sky Above Wildfires: Air Attack And Helicopter Coordinators, What They Do, And How To Become One. A conversation with Jon Freeman and Matt Lynde.
Matt Lynde
Aviation supervisor
U.S. wildfire aviation programs (BLM/Forest Service)
Episode: The Eyes In The Sky Above Wildfires: Air Attack And Helicopter Coordinators, What They Do, And How To Become One. A conversation with Jon Freeman and Matt Lynde.
Erin Phelps
Deputy Director of Risk Management, Forest Service
Forest Service
Episode: 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.
Derrick Holdstock
Owner-operator of Western Fire Resources, wildfire contracting company
Western Fire Resources
Episode: 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.
Mark Niemeyer
CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association
Western Fire Chiefs Association
Episode: The Future Of Wildfire Tech And The Wildfire Technology Summit: A Conversation With Western Fire Chiefs Association CEO, Chief Mark Niemeyer.
Sarah Fisher
Deputy Chief of Fire and Aviation Management, Forest Service
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Episode: Forest Service Announces Reorganization Plan: Deputy Chief Of Fire And Aviation Management, Sarah Fisher, And Associate Chief Of The Forest Service Chris French Join To Provide Details.
Chris French
Associate Chief, Forest Service
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Episode: Forest Service Announces Reorganization Plan: Deputy Chief Of Fire And Aviation Management, Sarah Fisher, And Associate Chief Of The Forest Service Chris French Join To Provide Details.
Sam Forstag
Former smokejumper, union leader, and congressional candidate for Montana's District 1
Campaign for Congress
Episode: From Smokejumper To Congressional Candidate. Sam Forstag joins the show to talk wildfire issues and his upcoming election.
Sam Davis
CEO of Bridger Aerospace
Bridger Aerospace
Episode: CEO Of Bridger Aerospace, Sam Davis, Breaks Down The 2025 Wildfire Season, Their Expansion Into Spain, And The Future Of The Wildfire Aviation Company.

Host

Tim
Host of The Hotshot Wake Up

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 854 ratings
  • Some lame crew deciding to get together and post one star reviews? Hmmm

    Great interviews and a good show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IA Captain
    United States10 months ago
  • Excellent Resource (but unnecessary misleading claims)

    “It’s just six bucks.” A claim made repeatedly in every single episode. But it’s $6.99, so constant insults from the host. Dude, drop the $.99 or start being honest that it’s seven bucks a month to sponsor. We’re not as dumb as you think we are.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jd54635435
    United Statesa year ago
  • Biggest gobs of BS in Wildland you can find. Idk what happened to this guy

    Podcast Addict
    1
    nuns
    a year ago
  • Good stuff

    As a former helitack & hotshot and a father of a hotshot this podcast is great for those that want more than just some wildfire updates. Good interviews, good behind the scenes information that typically otherwise wouldn’t be heard .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    matt1075
    United Statesa year ago
  • (Engine) Slug for Salt

    If you’re hoping to hear right wing bootlicking and “I told you so” for hours, this is the show for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Taylor Monney
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critique the show for perceived bias or controversial takes; overall sentiment skews positive about content quality and relevance.
Listeners value the practical, no-nonsense approach and behind-the-scenes access.
Strong real-world wildfire insights and experienced perspective on policy and operations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#143
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#48
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#143
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#158
Italy/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#248
Germany/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Eyes In The Sky Above Wildfires: Air Attack And Helicopter Coordinators, What They Do, And How To Become One. A conversation with Jon Freeman and Matt Lynde.
Q: What does a typical day look like for an air attack supervisor and a Helco, from briefing to a fire assignment?
Both roles start with PT and briefings, then pre-flight checks and weather review, followed by airspace coordination with dispatch and ground divisions. IA work dominates the daytime, with potential for night flying on larger fires. The day often involves multiple flights, fuel stops, and debriefing, with a heavy emphasis on maintaining safety and keeping pilots oriented through constant communication across several frequencies.
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.
Q: Why is a full respirator solution not feasible right now?
A fully NFPA 1984-compliant respirator that protects against all inhalation hazards is too expensive and complex to implement across the system, so the approach is to implement practical mitigations now while planning for longer-term respiratory protection.
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.
Q: What does the release provide for wildland firefighters regarding N95s?
The policy makes N95s available without making them mandatory, and if used, a less-than-one-hour training module covers context, use, and safety considerations, with exclusions for direct flame situations due to flammability.
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.
Q: How can contractors work together to push policy changes and improve the contracting landscape?
He emphasizes voluntary collaboration, relationship-building with lawmakers and agencies, and showcasing capable contractors on the ground to improve the industry's reputation and influence policy.
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.
Q: What does the process look like to get equipment and contracts up and running for a wildfire contracting company?
Derrick explains the heavy upfront financial and liability burden, the challenges of securing bank loans for engines, and the need to ensure qualified personnel are available for long seasons, even with uncertain order flow.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Hotshot Wake Up

What is The Hotshot Wake Up about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hard-hitting, firefighter-led show that blends on-the-ground wildfire realities with policy and technology discussions. Across episodes, the host(s) consistently tackle contractor dynamics, staffing and funding, interagency coordination, and the politics surrounding wildfire management, often featuring high-visibility public sector leaders, private contractors, and industry experts. Notable strengths include candid industry insights, a willingness to challenge established processes, and a strong focus on practical solutions for ground crews and policymakers alike. The format balances fast-moving fire updates with deep dives into governance, readiness, and long-term resilience, making it valuable for listeners who want concrete takeaways f... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Hotshot Wake Up?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hotshot Wake Up:

1. The MeatEater Podcast
2. Gettin' Salty Experience Firefighter Podcast
3. Jocko Podcast
4. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast
5. The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

How many episodes of The Hotshot Wake Up are there?

The Hotshot Wake Up launched 4 years ago and published 205 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Hotshot Wake Up?

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What guests have appeared on The Hotshot Wake Up?

Recent guests on The Hotshot Wake Up include:

1. Jon Freeman
2. Matt Lynde
3. Erin Phelps
4. Derrick Holdstock
5. Mark Niemeyer
6. Sarah Fisher
7. Chris French
8. Sam Forstag

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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