A Step Beyond the Fire: Recent Episodes
Cully Lord
A Step Beyond the Fire podcast was created to educate and engage with listeners of all ages about the use of fire for the benefit of the land - better known as prescribed fire. Join our host named Cully, a conservationist and lifelong outdoorsman from Florida in the field as he seeks to document memorable life experiences told by people who are involved with conservation in the 21st century landscape. He challenges you to join him where the flame ends and new life begins!
Check out this episode to learn the steps you can take to get started with a successful prescribed burning program on your property, even if you don't have much money to begin!
Great Resources for Prescribed Burners:
Association of Fire Ecology: https://fireecology.org/subscribe
Driptorch Digest: https://sites.cnr.ncsu.edu/southeast-fire-update/driptorch-digest/
Fire Program Funding Opportunities: https://sites.cnr.ncsu.edu/southeast-fire-update/funding-opportunities//
Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network: https://fireadaptednetwork.org/resources/
Hot-Dry-Windy Index: https://www.hdwindex.org/
National Wildfire Coordinating Group Toolbox: https://www.nwcg.gov/wfldp/toolbox
Natural Areas Training Academy: http://members.naturalareas.org/members/memberinfo/prospect1.php?org_id=AREA
North Carolina State University Extension Forestry: https://apps.ces.ncsu.edu/activecampaign/sign-up/4611AF/24/
Rapid Lesson Sharing: https://www.wildfirelessons.net/resources/rapidlessonsharing
Recorded Lectures/Talks from Oregon State University: https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/feature-story/lookout-envisioning-futures-wildfire
Rx Burn Planner: https://rxburnplanner.com/
Southern Fire Exchange email list: https://us5.listmanage.com/subscribe?u=18313cd6d252b7c69af8d769e&id=ebf459f071
Southern Group of State Foresters Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal (What’s your risk?): https://southernwildfirerisk.com/Map/Public/#map-themes
Tall Timbers email list (Zach Prusak): https://talltimbers.us12.listmanage.com/subscribe?u=4a50b1affbbdbb54a0a019ea7&id=08336fcb26
The Ember Alliance: https://emberalliance.org/news/
UF Calendar: https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/nata/calendar/
Wildfire Today: https://wildfiretoday.com/
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned: https://www.wildfirelessons.net/home
6 Minutes for Safety: https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/6-Minutes-for-safety
Fire Equipment Resources
Cascade (sometimes BOGO on hardware and good fire shelter prices): https://cascadefire.com/
Darley: https://www.edarley.com/
Grainger (yes they have some useful fire stuff too): https://www.grainger.com/
Forestry Suppliers: https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/index.php
Fire Hose Direct: https://firehosedirect.com/
National Fire Fighter Wildland Corp: https://www.nationalfirefighter.com/?utm_source=enewsletter120721&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=homelogo&utm_content=header
Partzilla: https://www.partzilla.com/
Supply Cache: https://www.supplycache.com/
Texas Jeans (Good priced Ripstop Nomex): https://texasjeans.com/collections/wildland-firefighting
Wildland Warehouse: https://www.wildlandwarehouse.com/
Episode photo courtesy of John McCabe.
In this episode, Cully interviews John McCabe, the Director of the Department of Resouce Management in the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Illinois.
Want to learn how John and his team are able to consistently burn in a County that is home to over 5 million people, including the City of Chicago? Check this episode out!
Dont forget to check out this webinar series we mentioned in the episode: https://www.uwsp.edu/wfc/wisconsin-forestry-center/workshops-trainings/prescribed-fire-webinar-series/
In this episode, Cully meets up with Ben Cossel, the Public Affairs Officer for the Stanislaus National Forest in Sonora, CA. Ben shares the latest on the Wildfire Crisis Strategy Implementation Plan, and how the framework of the plan is taking big steps in solving the century-old problem of destructive wildfires in our Western landscapes.
Check out the latest work on the Stanislaus National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/home/?cid=fseprd1150074
For some of Ben's great fire photos, check this link out also: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194987360@N03/albums/72177720317061556/
Cully has an in-depth conversation with Jon Trapp, an Air Force Veteran turned wolf biologist and Fire Behavior Analyst. Jon recounts his experiences studying wolves in the American West, and how a life in the wildlife research field led him into a career in wildland fire. As Jon shares stories from the field, it becomes clear that there are two unique things that have a profound effect upon the land he calls home: wolves and fire.
Steve meets up with his longtime friend Rick Dolan, the current statewide Director of the Florida Forest Service. Rick and Steve discuss leadership amidst their experiences in the challenging scenarios of wildfires, hurricanes and other types of natural disasters.
In this episode, Cully provides some show updates, ways to contribute to the show and new directions to be expected in the upcoming Season 3.
Check out these upcoming conservation events:
Savannah River Fire Festival
Putnam Land Conservancy's Rally for Conservation
In this episode, guest host Steve Miller has the opportunity to connect with one of his good friends named Kelly Martin. Kelly recounts some of her incredible experiences as the past Chief of Fire and Aviation for Yosemite National Park, and they cover many interesting topics including emotional intelligence, fire behavior, education, diversity and gender roles in fire.
Guest host Steve Miller (Director of Fire and Aviation Management, USFS Eastern Region) and his colleague Rosi Mulholland get together to share stories and lessons learned that span both of their many years as fire practitioners.
Cully meets with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Executive Director Roger Young to talk about his career as a conservation law enforcement officer, and what leadership looks like for him in his current role as the leader of a 3,000+ employee statewide agency.
Cully joins Rylee and Ryan McKenzie at the headquarters of a local family-owned business called Quality Equipment and Parts to talk about some of the latest equipment available in the market today that can be used in conjunction with fire to help us restore native landscapes.
Cully joins David Hogrefe, the president and founder of a company called Sandpine Alliance. Tune in to learn more about how David has turned his work in fire into humanitarian projects in East Africa. David explains just how much fire is a part of daily life in the rural tribes he works with.
Cully meets with Dr. Charles "Butch" Taylor, a retired professor emeritus from Texas A&M University, who has spent over 40 years as a researcher, author, lead instructor, and advocate for prescribed fire. Dr. Taylor talks about how he became interested in fire early in life, and some of the lessons he has learned during his distinguished career in fire.
In this episode, Cully welcomes a gentleman named Rick Lint to the show. Rick is the current Deputy Regional Forester for the Southern Region with the US Forest Service, where he oversees all National Forests in 14 states as well as Puerto Rico. Rick shares some of the challenges of stewardship in a changing world, his background in fire, and some of the unique opportunities that can be found in federal employment.
Cully meets up with an Extension Specialist for Fire Ecology named John Weir out at Oklahoma State University. John shares his experiences as a researcher, educator, and his practical experience as a prescribed burner in the rangelands of his state.
In this eposide, Cully meets up with a fire expert named Steve Miller who forged an incredible legacy during his time in Florida that still holds true to this day. Steve recounts some of his early experiences building a highly successful prescribed fire program for the St. Johns River Water Management District from scratch with a horse named Jeff.
Cully plugs in remotely for this episode with an expert prescribed burner named Rick Anderson. Rick describes his unique perspective as a tenth generation Floridian, having learned to burn from knowledge passed down by his ancestors.
In this first episode of Season 2, Cully sits down with a highly experienced wildland fire professional named Greg Seamon. They discuss what his life experienes beyond the United States have been like, and share some good stories along the way.
In this final episode of Season 1, Cully shares some of the new content in the upcoming season and he shares with you memories of his family earlier in life.
Cully meets with Ludie Bond, a communications specialist with the Florida Forest Service. Join them as they discuss the important skills that we all must have if and when we need to with fire in populated spaces.
Cully meets up with Zach Prusak, a well known training specialist who has spent many years in the field as a prescribed burner, mentor, and teacher. Zach talks about some of the exciting career options available to people even if they do not have a background in fire.
Cully travels to Putnam County Florida to visit with Ben and Louanne Williams on their beautiful property that they manage for stewardship and educational purposes. Cully and Ben discuss the establishment of the local Prescribed Burn Association and some of the important lessons they have learned as private landowners.
Join Cully and his old college buddy Cynthia Balboni along the hiking trail to discuss what her life is like managing native ecosystems on a military installation. Cynthia describes her experiences in the field working with endangered species, managing prescribed fires, wildfire suppression and the many unique challenges she faces along the way.
In this Episode, Cully meets with Jason Houck, an engineer in the Orlando area that specializes in the construction of wildlife road crossings. Jason talks about some of the important projects that he has been in involved with over the years, and the critical steps that are needed to preserve biodiversity in Florida's changing landscapes.
Cully heads over to visit with Scott Sager, the manager for the University of Florida's Austin Cary Forest. The property is a unique area dedicated to research, teaching opportunities and active land management. Cully and Scott talk about how areas like this play such a vital role for future generations.
Join Cully and Predator-Prey Biologist Joe Guthire along the hiking trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park to discuss the history of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Joe recounts some of his early experiences in life that led him to becoming a wildlife biologist, and how his life became intertwined in the mission of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. Joe tells his story of perseverence and the joys and sorrows along his path, and how he was able to help turn a trajedy into something much bigger than himself.
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Dave Maehr and Mason Smoak.
On a Friday afternoon, Cully heads over the headquarters of the Florida Trail Association in Gainesville to talk with Jeff Glenn, a trail manager for the Northern Region. Jeff describes the incredible work that is being done to maintain the Florida Trail's connected network of hiking trails, and how they provide such a great free opportunity to experience our native landscapes that is available to people from all walks of life.
To learn more about the Florida Trail Association, you can visit https://floridatrail.org/.
Cully sits down with a good friend and mentor of his named Jeff McGrady to talk about some of his experiences in the field during his 37 year career as a wildlife biologist with the State of Florida. Join them under pines as Jeff recounts some of his experiences with Florida's wildlife over the years, and how eventually becoming a Regional Biologist impacted his life. Their conversation leads them ultimately to discuss the all important question - What makes a great wildlife manager?
In this episode, we get a special invite to join a basic prescribed fire training class with a veteran prescribed burner named Barry Coulliette. Barry talks us through some of the details of the class and why its a vital step for this new class of recruits in the local county fire rescue organization. Join us on the training grounds as Barry shares some of his life experiences and his passion for the art and science of prescribed fire.
In this episode, Cully invites you to join him on a live prescribed burn in North Florida. He will bring you into the actual preparations, the decisions on the fireline, and finally into the completion of the burn for the day. You can expect to hear what really happens in the field on a fire including the sounds, emotions, and actions taken. Let your imagination do the rest!
In this episode, Cully catches up with a good friend of his named Liz Ramirez. Liz is a wildlife biologist and an avid student of fire. She shares her life experiences, her love of fire, and some memorable experiences along the way. Join Cully and Liz as they take a hike through a recently burned area just south of Salt Springs, Florida in the heart of the Ocala National Forest.
In this episode, Cully has a light-hearted conversation around a campfire with a land manager and prescribed fire expert named Tracey Sleek. With the distant sounds of the hustle and bustle of the city of Gainesville in the background, Tracey and Cully discuss unique challenges faced in their lives, stories of learning experiences, and even a few mishaps along the way...
Outside on a chilly January morning, your host Cully Lord portrays the exciting world of using fire as a tool to benefit the land. He recounts how he became involved with fire and describes the purpose of this project, which is to engage, educate and bring memorable life experiences from the field to listners of all ages. He challenges you to join him where the flame ends and new life begins! See more stories at www.astepbeyondthefire.com.