Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning of the American West
- Author
- Thomas Schueneman
- Published
- Fri 01 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- https://global-warming-is-real.captivate.fm/episode/wildfire-days-a-woman-a-hotshot-crew-and-the-burning-of-the-american-west
Wildfire Days
"Wildfire is actually a natural part of our ecosystems and our landscape, particularly in the American West. Fires had been burning naturally for millennia and keeping the forest healthy."
"It's the most incredible job. It's so fulfilling and exciting and fascinating... just seeing how fire moves on the landscape and how we can use fire intentionally to stop wildfires."
-Kelly Ramsey
The historical context of wildfire management reveals a legacy of suppression dating back to the Big Burn of 1910, which initiated a paradigm shift in how we perceive and respond to fire in our ecosystems.
In this engaging episode, we confront the alarming reality of wildfires in California and the American West with someone who was on the front lines fighting wildfires during the most devastating and destructive years in California's history, when more than 4 million acres burned in 2020.
My guest, Kelly Ramsey, is an engaging storyteller who brings a fresh perspective to the conversation as a hotshot firefighter and author of "Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning of the American West."
With a background in poetry and fiction, Kelly's journey to the fire line adds a unique and captivating narrative to the discussion. Our discussion touches on the pressing need for policy reform that embraces fire as a natural part of the landscape rather than something to be eradicated at all costs. In addition, she candidly shares her challenges as a female firefighter in a male-dominated crew and the complex dynamics of teamwork under extreme conditions.
Through intimate storytelling, she reveals the physical and psychological demands of fighting fires on the front lines, the century-old forest management policies that have intensified today's wildfire crisis, what it takes to earn respect as the only woman on a testosterone-rich elite wildfire crew, and the complex dynamics of teamwork under extreme conditions.
Our conversation weaves together personal narrative, environmental urgency, and a call to action for supporting the firefighters who risk everything to protect our forests and communities. Kelly's insights challenge common misconceptions about wildfire suppression while offering hope through indigenous fire management practices and community engagement.
As we explore the psychological and physical demands of firefighting, this episode serves as a vital reminder of the human stories behind the statistics and the urgent need for community engagement and policy transformation in forest management.
Takeaways:
- The historical suppression of wildfires has led to dangerously dense forests, increasing fire intensity.
- Indigenous practices of fire management are crucial for restoring ecosystems and preventing catastrophic wildfires.
- Wildland firefighting is a physically and mentally demanding job that comes with significant health risks and challenges.
- The mismanagement of forest resources has resulted in a crisis where climate change and wildfires converge dangerously.
- Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters, the system often undervalues their contributions and struggles with staffing shortages.
- Kelly Ramsey's journey from writer to firefighter illustrates the unexpected paths one can take in pursuing passion and purpose.
Resources:
Grassroots Wildland Firefighters: A Voice for Federal Wildland Firefighters
ABC 10 (Opening Audio):
