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Artwork for The Hotshot Wake Up

The Hotshot Wake Up

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

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/

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes196Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Hotshot Wake Up

Latest Episodes

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

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 ret... more

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

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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 residen... more

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

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Full operational update.

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Hotshot crews are still having issues securing the vehicles they need to operate at the level they are being asked to.

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Re... more

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

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Full wildfire update

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Fires in Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, and Montana

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USDA Secretary Rollins provides the 2026 wildfire secretarial memo.

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It... more

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Recent Guests

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.
Martin Langer
CEO of OroraTech, a company focused on satellite-based wildfire detection and monitoring.
OroraTech
Episode: 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.
Robert Garcia
Fire Chief of The Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest
Episode: The Wildfire Workforce, Culture, And The National Wildfire Service: A Conversation With Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia.
Robert D. Sepulveda Jr.
A REMS Leader with extensive experience in medical support and rescue operations in wildfires.
Episode: 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.

Host

Tim
Host of The Hotshot Wake Up

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 849 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 States8 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 States9 months 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
#57
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#45
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#231
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#94
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#108
Italy/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#57
Sweden/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Future Of Wildfire Tech And The Wildfire Technology Summit: A Conversation With Western Fire Chiefs Association CEO, Chief Mark Niemeyer.
Q: What is the biggest risk or challenge you face in getting all these technologies to work together in real time?
A key challenge is moving from multiple dashboards to a single, integrated view; achieving real-time or near-real-time information requires defined definitions, interoperability, and partnerships rather than siloed tech from competing vendors.
The Future Of Wildfire Tech And The Wildfire Technology Summit: A Conversation With Western Fire Chiefs Association CEO, Chief Mark Niemeyer.
Q: How do you see the timeline and next steps for phase three and the vendor showcase?
The plan is to publish phase two findings in May, move to a vendor showcase in Salt Lake City in October, and use lessons learned to refine requirements so vendors can demonstrate how they meet shared outcomes, with an emphasis on collaboration and competitive procurement.
The Future Of Wildfire Tech And The Wildfire Technology Summit: A Conversation With Western Fire Chiefs Association CEO, Chief Mark Niemeyer.
Q: Can you kind of just talk to, you know, what have you guys put together?
Niemeyer describes the Western Fire Chiefs Association as a nonprofit with four pillars—professional development, health and wellness, wildfire, and technology—and explains how they are coordinating among federal, state, and local agencies to set common outcomes and move toward actionable technology solutions.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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. Blood Trails
3. The American West
4. Bear Grease
5. The Shawn Ryan Show

How many episodes of The Hotshot Wake Up are there?

The Hotshot Wake Up launched 4 years ago and published 196 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Hotshot Wake Up?

Recent guests on The Hotshot Wake Up include:

1. Derrick Holdstock
2. Mark Niemeyer
3. Sarah Fisher
4. Chris French
5. Sam Forstag
6. Sam Davis
7. Martin Langer
8. Robert Garcia

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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