Volume 15 Issue 3 - Look Up. Speak Up. Stay Connected.

This issue of Two More Chains is about how aviation is an integral part of wildland fire. Even if you are not assigned to an aviation crew, you are still part of aviation operations. If aircraft are working your fire, what is happening in the air cannot be separated from what is happening on the ground. Your awareness, communication, and actions matter.

Over a 10-year span we have recorded 13 separate incidents of wheels nearly or completely separating from Type 6 engines due to problems related to lug nuts and studs.

Look at the data, take action.

Latest Episode - Former Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Assistant Director, Alex Viktora, comes back to the podcast to talk with Travis Dotson, Analyst with the Lessons Learned Center. Alex talks with Travis about his career, his time with the Lessons Learned Center, and the things he has learned along the way. This is Travis Dotson’s farewell podcast episode as he retired in July 2026.