Well, here we are again. I recognize that tree… You may be asking yourselves, where are we exactly? Allow me to explain. In October of 2021 I published a piece called Wildland Fire’s Great Exodus, which if you missed it, you're welcome to read by clicking here. The quick synopsis however, is this; federally employed wildland firefighters (WFFs) … Continue reading The Panic Button
Fire Family
We refer to ourselves as fire family with great intention because we aren’t close friends, that would actually be quite the misrepresentation. The term family signifies a closeness, but it also encapsulates the ruggedness of human relationships...
Wildland Fire’s Great Exodus
The Great Exodus that is occurring amongst the ranks of the wildland firefighting population is on a catastrophic trajectory because of what it will mean for wildfire response moving into the future.
The 40 Year Old Fill-In
When the pandemic hit in 2020, it flipped everything sideways for the fire community and most things were uncertain except for one; fires would still happen, and firefighters would have to respond. At the time, I was in a secondary fire position which didn’t require me to take an assignment but with the position I … Continue reading The 40 Year Old Fill-In
Furlough with a Capital F.
This furlough is all fun and games until wildfires start kicking up and communities are insufficiently protected because firefighters are stuck waiting for human resources to process their paperwork.
Wildfire 101
The Moonlight Fire, California When you spend your life hiking around steep hillsides, digging in the dirt and sleeping on the ground while surrounded by a sea of other people all doing the same thing it’s easy to forget that the general public doesn’t understand the reality which wildland firefighters live in. As the effects … Continue reading Wildfire 101