Understanding Wildfire Beyond the Smoke

The Voice from the Ground

Welcome to Talking Wildfire. I’m Michael Scott Hill. My mission is to explain wildfires by bringing you ground-level expertise beyond the political and media headlines. From fighting fires with the US Forest Service since 1987 to mentoring Australian volunteer firefighters, I’ve dedicated my life to understanding the deep complexities of fire management.

My career has taken me from the Sawtooth Hotshots in Idaho to the remote islands of Indonesia, and even to Antarctica. Whether it's prescribed burns, helicopter management, or surviving the fireline, I share stories and resources to equip people with real understanding.