Stop Relying on Data and Start Clearing Your Brush | Chris Holloway

Microsoft's Chris Holloway brings his unique perspective as a former Air Force nuclear weapons specialist to the wildfire crisis, delivering a powerful call for proactive, community-level action. He breaks down why high-tech home suppression systems can fail, why we're too focused on reactive data instead of proactive work, and why the most effective wildfire defense starts with simple, low-tech stewardship of your own property.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• A Nuke Specialist's View on Wildfire: Applying a mindset of constant readiness to community fire defense.

• The WUI is Underperforming: Why most communities are failing at managing their wildland-urban interface.

• The Flaw in Home Suppression Systems: The danger of relying on battery backups during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

• Chasing the Last Disaster: Why using historical data to predict future fires is a flawed strategy.

• The Power of Low-Tech: Why simple actions like adding mesh to your fence and clearing brush are more effective than waiting for a high-tech solution.

• The Landscaper Problem: How aesthetic choices in landscaping can create dangerous fuel loads right next to homes.

• Forcing Functions: The potential role of insurance companies and HOAs in compelling homeowners to mitigate their risk.