Thursday, September 10, 2026 — Shortage of wildland firefighters strains preparedness and safety
The risks of fighting wildfires hit home this summer as 13 firefighters, including two Native Americans, died on the job (https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/record-us-wildfire-season-firefighter-entrapments-hit-20-year-high-2026-08-13/) . The profession is facing burnout, overwork, and higher risk (https://www.eenews.net/articles/firefighting-resources-are-critically-low-in-record-fire-year/) as the number of wildfires steadily increases and the number of federal firefighters drops following budget cuts by the Trump administration. We’ll hear about what wildland firefighters are currently up against and what the hopes are for more staff and training as the threat of wildfires across the country shows no signs to slowing down. We’ll also hear from friends and family members of fallen firefighters, including those from a historically tragic fire 40 years ago (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-santa-fe-new-mexican/18155766/) .
GUESTS
Bodie Shaw (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), Northwest Incident Management Team 7 liaison officer, former deputy regional director for the Northwest Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and former national wildland fire director for BIA
Al Waquie (Jemez Pueblo), former wildland firefighter
Elsa Coffin (Iñupiaq), parent of Leslie R. Washington
Franklin Coffin (Iñupiaq), parent of Leslie R. Washington
Break 1 Music: Intertribal Song (song) Black Lodge Singers (http://www.canyonrecords.com/shop/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=CR-6276) (artist) Enter the Circle – Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live at Coeur D’Alene (album)
Break 2 Music: With My Son (song) Vincent Craig (http://muttonman.com/) (artist)
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