Two Roles, One Goal: Suppression with Stewardship

What does it take to build fireline with 60,000 pound machines and protect sensitive ecosystems while doing it? In this episode of Wildfire Matters, host Caleb Ashby sits down with Dustin Hall, a seasoned dozer operator, and Erik Kriwox, a veteran Resource Advisor (READ), to explore how wildfire line construction with heavy equipment works on the ground.

From navigating lava fields and avoiding buried pipelines to negotiating riparian zones and habitat concerns, this conversation digs into the risks, responsibilities, and real-time decisions that happen on the fireline. Dustin and Erik also reflect on post-fire rehabilitation, what it's like to return to a fire scar months later.

Whether you're in fire management or just curious about how heavy equipment plays a role in wildfire response, this episode delivers insights, practical knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the balance between suppression and stewardship.