The Fire Break

Rachelle Wilson discusses innovative workforce development, wildfire risk reduction strategies, and empowering the next generation of wildland firefighters. Rachelle dives into her groundbreaking high school curriculum designed to equip students with real-world skills, explores sustainable funding solutions, and highlights critical lessons learned from recent wildfires. Discover why early engagement in wildfire preparedness and strategic mitigation planning is essential for building resilient communities.

Rohan Fisher joins The Fire Break to share how Indigenous wildfire knowledge, satellite technology, and an innovative wildfire simulation game are revolutionizing fire management in Australia's tropical savannas. Discover how Rohan blends 70,000 years of traditional practices with modern science, transforming landscapes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and empowering communities. Rohan debunks our modern notion that the answer is always in the next invention. He also explores the critical role of storytelling, ecological wisdom, and human connection in creating more resilient and sustainable wildfire strategies—and how an interactive game is engaging communities in managing their own fire landscapes. https://researchers.cdu.edu.au/en/persons/rohan-fisher [https://researchers.cdu.edu.au/en/persons/rohan-fisher] https://www.landscapemodels.net/ [https://www.landscapemodels.net/] https://imps.cdu.edu.au/tools/firesim/ [https://imps.cdu.edu.au/tools/firesim/] https://rohanfisher.wordpress.com/incendiary-a-fire-spread-modelling-tool/ [https://rohanfisher.wordpress.com/incendiary-a-fire-spread-modelling-tool/]

What happens when wildfires burn too big, too fast, and too frequently? Steve Wolf sits down with Jonathan Reimer, Emergency Manager from British Columbia, Canada, to uncover exactly how wildfire experts make critical decisions under extreme pressure. Jonathan shares gripping stories from the front lines—including near-disasters like the Fort McMurray evacuation and the heroic effort that saved Waterton—highlighting why clear decision-making processes and judgment under uncertainty can literally mean the difference between life and death. Tune in as they discuss firefighting innovations, how too much information can hinder decisions, and the surprising lessons wildfire management could learn from baseball’s Moneyball strategy.

How do we protect our communities when wildfires are outpacing traditional strategies? On this episode, Steve Wolf is joined by Brittany Black from BurnBot, an innovative startup using robotic technology and advanced forestry techniques to drastically reduce wildfire risk. Imagine a remote-controlled robot clearing and safely burning fuel to create fire-resistant perimeters year-round, even in terrain humans can’t reach. Brittany shares how BurnBot blends cutting-edge innovation with proven forestry practices to transform wildfire management. Discover how this exciting tech could help protect millions of acres—and why we can't rely on traditional government solutions alone. Don't miss this fascinating look at the future of fire protection!

The future of wildfire prevention is shifting—and fast. In this episode of The Fire Break, Steve Wolf sits down with Jason Brooks, co-founder of Fire Aside, to explore how private-sector innovation is transforming wildfire mitigation. From data-driven risk assessments to cutting-edge engagement strategies, Fire Aside is helping fire departments and communities take proactive steps before disaster strikes. Learn how smarter prevention can save homes, cut suppression costs, and even change the way we think about fire safety. Don’t miss this deep dive into the tech and tactics shaping a wildfire-resilient future!