Neal on Fire

How RoGo's Satellite Tech Saves Firefighters Lives ft. RoGO Communications

Most wildland firefighters operate with outdated tech paper maps, compasses, and radios leading to dangerous guesswork during critical moments. What if there was a simple device that could transform wildfire response by providing real-time GPS tracking, weather updates, and instant tactical communication, even in extreme conditions where cell service doesn’t exist? Neal Spungen sits down with Rod Goossen, CEO of RoGO Communications, to reveal how their innovative Drop Block technology is revolutionizing wildfire safety. Born from the tragic Yarnell Hill fire that claimed 19 lives, this rugged, satellite-enabled device offers a game-changing solution to one of the most persistent issues in firefighting: lack of situational awareness. With the Drop Block, incident command can see real-time GPS locations of crews and equipment, monitor weather changes instantly, and communicate point-to-point, all without relying on traditional cell networks.

Predicting Fire: The Science Behind Wildfire Models ft. Alexandra Syphard

What is wildfire modeling and how does it help predict wildfire risk? In this episode of Neal on Fire, Dr. Alexandra Syphard (Conservation Biology Institute, Global Wildfire Collective) breaks down how wildfire models work and why they’re essential for understanding fire behavior, especially in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Perfect for professionals in utilities, insurance, wildfire management, and anyone interested in wildfire science and risk. Subscribe for more episodes on wildfire technology, fire detection, wildfire risk modeling, and resilience strategies.

Revolutionizing Wildfire Response with RainStream ft. Wildfire Innovations

In this episode of Neal on Fire, host Neal Spungen speaks with Don Hallett, Founder & President of Wildfire Innovations and inventor of RainStream a mobile, elevated misting system that can protect 7–18 acres by pre-wetting vegetation, increasing humidity, and slowing ember spread. They discuss how RainStream works, why elevation matters, real-world deployment, coordination with fire agencies, and use cases across WUI communities, utilities, and critical infrastructure. 🎧 Neal on Fire spotlights real-world wildfire detection, mitigation, and response no paid promotions, just practical innovation. 🔔 Subscribe for more wildfire solutions from the people building them. https://www.wildfireinov.com/ [https://www.wildfireinov.com/] https://nealonfire.com/ [https://nealonfire.com/]

The Future of Power Grid Resilience ft. Grid IQ

In this episode of Neal on Fire, Neal Spungen talks with Aren Page, founder of GridIQ, about building a “nervous system” for the power grid to detect faults before they cause wildfires. They discuss pre-ignition grid monitoring, reducing PSPS events, fast fault localization, and how utilities can act proactively to improve wildfire resilience. 🎧 Real-world wildfire and grid innovation—no paid promotions. 🔔 Subscribe for more. https://www.gridiq.io/ [https://www.gridiq.io/] https://nealonfire.com/ [https://nealonfire.com/]

The Power of Open Source in early wildfire detection ft. Pyronear

In this episode of Neal on Fire, host Neal Spungen talks with Félix Veith, co-founder of Pyronear a nonprofit using open-source AI and low-cost cameras to detect wildfires early. They discuss how Pyronear’s camera-based detection works, why the team chose an open-source model, how false positives are reduced, and real-world deployments across France, Spain, and Chile. The conversation also explores affordability, community-driven innovation, and why accessible detection matters for high-risk regions worldwide. 🎧 Neal on Fire features real-world wildfire detection, mitigation, and response—no paid promotions, just practical solutions. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building the future of wildfire resilience. https://pyronear.org/en/ [https://pyronear.org/en/] https://nealonfire.com/ [https://nealonfire.com/]