Join us as we talk with Cody Zetlmaier, who is currently assigned to the US Bureau of Land Management's Apple Valley Helitack. He was previously assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Heaps Peak Helitack out of the San Bernardino National Forest. Cody has spent a lot of time as a Hot Shot assigned to the Big Bear Hot Shots also out of the San Bernardino National Forest. Cody was awarded Hot Shot of the year in 2008.
This episode is a story of perseverance and dedication. During this episode Cody takes us through the highs and lows of his career including a detailed account of how the Big Bear Hot Shots saved a ranch during the Atlas Fire in historic Napa County in October 2017. He talks about a mural that was painted along the Napa Wine trains route as a tribute to the heroic efforts of Cody and the Big Bear Hot Shots while fighting the Atlas Fire that burned over 51,000 acres.
Cody talks about the heartbreak of leaving the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter and the path he took to overcome the obstacles he faced to pursue a career he loves as a wildland firefighter.
This episode is dedicated to Charlie Morton a U.S. Forest Service Big Bear Hotshot. Charlie tragically passed away while fighting the El Dorado fire on September 17th, 2020. Charlie is one of Cody's best friends as well as a leader and mentor to countless man and women that served along side him during his incredible career.