The MeatEater Podcast: Ep. 696 – Wildfire and the Future of Public Lands with Sen. Tim Sheehy

Release Date: April 28, 2025

I. Introduction

In Episode 696 of The MeatEater Podcast, host Steven Rinella engages in a comprehensive discussion with U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana. The conversation delves into the pressing issues of wildfires, public lands management, and the future of environmental policies in the United States. Drawing from Sheehy's extensive background in the military and wildland firefighting, the episode offers listeners valuable insights into bipartisan legislative efforts aimed at combating the escalating wildfire crisis.

II. Background of Sen. Tim Sheehy

Senator Tim Sheehy, representing Montana, provides listeners with an overview of his upbringing and early influences. Raised in Minnesota, Sheehy recounts his childhood adventures around an abandoned military base, which ignited his passion for the outdoors and aviation.

[02:01] Tim Sheehy: "We grew up on a five-acre plot around a lot of other folks... It was a pretty cool place to grow up because we weren't supposed to be there, but we always found a way to explore."

III. Military Service and Transition

Sheehy's commitment to service led him to the Navy SEALs, motivated by a lifelong passion for aviation and inspired by war films from his youth. He shares his experiences at the Naval Academy during the tumultuous times of the War on Terror, detailing his decision to initially leave the academy to fight but ultimately being persuaded to complete his education.

[10:58] Tim Sheehy: "We're going to be fighting this war for another 20 years, and what I need is smart young leaders and officers."

After completing his training, Sheehy highlights the immense responsibilities he held as a young SEAL leader, commanding up to 200 personnel in high-stakes environments like Afghanistan and Iraq.

[19:10] Tim Sheehy: "When you look at the responsibility and you look back at the responsibility you're given, it's like a 25, 26-year-old guy... That deserves respect."

IV. Wildland Firefighting and Bridger Aerospace

Transitioning from military service, Sheehy ventured into wildland firefighting and entrepreneurship by founding Bridger Aerospace. Motivated by the tragic loss of the Grand Mountain Hotshots in the Arnell Mountain fire, he aimed to apply military-grade airborne surveillance technology to enhance wildfire management and public safety.

[24:08] Tim Sheehy: "I felt myself in the shoes of that team leader... If he'd had the same tools I'd had in Afghanistan, his team probably would have been alive."

Bridger Aerospace focuses primarily on aerial wildfire suppression, utilizing advanced sensor technologies to provide real-time situational awareness and support ground operations. Sheehy emphasizes the company's role in responding swiftly to wildfire emergencies across the nation.

[28:38] Tim Sheehy: "70% of our company is all aerial wildland firefighting... We can do better than we're doing."

V. Impact of Wildfires on Economy and Insurance

The conversation shifts to the broader economic implications of wildfires, particularly their devastating impact on the insurance industry. Sheehy explains how catastrophic events like the Lahaina fire in Hawaii have set records for disaster costs, severely affecting insurance premiums and the availability of homeowner insurance.

[32:22] Tim Sheehy: "The LA wildfire is the most expensive disaster in American history ever... It could be a bigger impact on the homeowner's market than the 2008 financial crisis."

He elaborates on how rising insurance costs could render homes unaffordable or unsellable, leading to significant economic disruptions for homeowners and broader financial instability.

[35:28] Tim Sheehy: "If you can't get insurance on your home, what else can't you get for that home? Imagine if 10 to 20% of American homes become illiquid as a result."

VI. Public Lands Management and Policy Challenges

Sheehy delves into the complexities of public lands management, highlighting the fragmented governance involving multiple federal and state agencies with differing policies and objectives. He points out the historical shift in forest management practices over the past 30-40 years, which has contributed to increased wildfire intensity and unpredictability.

[40:11] Tim Sheehy: "Our forest management policies have radically changed in the past 30 years... Forest treatment logging projects have basically been injuncted to the point where they almost don't happen anymore."

Sheehy argues that an expanded wildland-urban interface, driven by population growth in previously undeveloped areas, has exacerbated the wildfire crisis by increasing the vulnerability of communities and infrastructure.

[37:36] Tim Sheehy: "The wildland-urban interface is exponentially bigger than it's ever been before... people cause fires... it's an existential economic issue."

VII. Legislative Efforts and Bipartisanship

Senator Sheehy discusses his proactive legislative efforts to address the wildfire crisis, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of his initiatives. As co-chair of the Wildfire Caucus alongside Senator Alex Padilla from California, Sheehy is spearheading comprehensive wildfire legislation aimed at enhancing forest management, increasing firefighting capabilities, and prioritizing public safety.

[49:58] Tim Sheehy: "LA was a terrible event, but it's giving us the momentum, bipartisan, to go across these agencies and say, listen, Forest Service... we're going to prioritize public safety."

He highlights the introduction of the "Fix Our Forests" bill, advocating for the identification of "fire sheds"—critical areas prone to wildfires—to streamline forest treatment and firefighting efforts.

[57:35] Tim Sheehy: "We're going to identify fire sheds all throughout the US and say if you're within a fire shed, we're going to cut through all these different environmental impact reviews."

VIII. Political Perspectives on Public Lands

Navigating the political landscape, Sheehy addresses misconceptions about the Republican stance on public lands. He clarifies that his focus is on responsible stewardship and management rather than divestiture or selling public lands.

[66:38] Tim Sheehy: "Public lands belong to public hands... We are not trying to sell off our public lands. We're talking about leasing and responsible management to enhance safety and economic vitality."

Sheehy criticizes opposing narratives that inaccurately portray his legislative efforts as attempts to sell or diminish public lands, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these lands for public use and environmental preservation.

[72:22] Tim Sheehy: "The land belongs to the people, not the government... We have to protect public lands as a non-negotiable priority."

IX. Future Directions and Conclusion

As the episode concludes, Sheehy outlines his vision for the future of wildfire management and public lands. He underscores the necessity of collaborative efforts across federal and state agencies, the integration of advanced technologies, and the implementation of pragmatic forest management strategies to mitigate wildfire risks and safeguard communities.

[75:09] Tim Sheehy: "We'll continue bipartisan action on wildfire legislation... ensuring that policies are effective and grounded in common sense."

Steven Rinella expresses his appreciation for Sheehy's service and dedication, inviting him to return for future discussions on wildfire and public lands management.

[75:34] Steven Rinella: "Love to have you back, man."

Notable Quotes

• Sen. Tim Sheehy ([10:58]): "We're going to be fighting this war for another 20 years, and what I need is smart young leaders and officers."

• Sen. Tim Sheehy ([32:22]): "The LA wildfire is the most expensive disaster in American history ever... It could be a bigger impact on the homeowner's market than the 2008 financial crisis."

• Sen. Tim Sheehy ([49:58]): "LA was a terrible event, but it's giving us the momentum, bipartisan, to go across these agencies and say, listen, Forest Service... we're going to prioritize public safety."

• Sen. Tim Sheehy ([66:38]): "Public lands belong to public hands... We are not trying to sell off our public lands. We're talking about leasing and responsible management to enhance safety and economic vitality."

Conclusion

Episode 696 of The MeatEater Podcast provides an in-depth exploration of the wildfire crisis and the intricate challenges of public lands management through the lens of Senator Tim Sheehy’s experiences and legislative initiatives. The discussion underscores the urgent need for bipartisan solutions, effective forest management practices, and innovative technological applications to protect communities and preserve America’s natural landscapes.

Note: The timestamps correspond to key points and notable quotes within the transcript provided.