Jim Whittington🔥
@jimwhittington.bsky.social
Retired BLM/NPS/USFS - Courtesy faculty with Oregon State's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Interested in wildland fire, incident management, climate change, history, public health, & crisis comms. Texas expat. Birthday: 318.51
Reposted by Jim Whittington🔥
Breaking news: The Department of Homeland Security drafted plans to drastically cut the FEMA workforce in 2026, according to documents obtained by The Post that detail potential reductions to thousands of disaster response and recovery roles.
Documents outline potential cuts to thousands of FEMA disaster responders
Any FEMA terminations are likely to come in waves, according to three people familiar with the plans.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Breaking news: The Department of Homeland Security drafted plans to drastically cut the FEMA workforce in 2026, according to documents obtained by The Post that detail potential reductions to thousands of disaster response and recovery roles.
Reposted by Jim Whittington🔥
AI slop has come for the weather warnings (this is actually really bad for both conveying information and maintaining trust in the official US government forecast!)
Wait a minute...why is NWS throwing out genAI generated slop on their socials?
This is a horrible look and doesn't help keep people safe or aware of the forecast.
This is a horrible look and doesn't help keep people safe or aware of the forecast.
January 5, 2026 at 6:32 PM
AI slop has come for the weather warnings (this is actually really bad for both conveying information and maintaining trust in the official US government forecast!)
The lack of planning, conflicting rationales, fantastical assumptions, and the complete disregard for future conditions and anything unexpected is staggering. As Eisenhower once said: "...if you haven’t been planning you can’t start to work, intelligently at least."
January 5, 2026 at 12:13 AM
The lack of planning, conflicting rationales, fantastical assumptions, and the complete disregard for future conditions and anything unexpected is staggering. As Eisenhower once said: "...if you haven’t been planning you can’t start to work, intelligently at least."
I'm starting to tire of the same music playlists. Does anyone know some good new bands from the 1970s?
January 3, 2026 at 12:35 AM
I'm starting to tire of the same music playlists. Does anyone know some good new bands from the 1970s?
My New Year's resolution is to be more open to testing my assumptions, to learn new stuff, to try to better envision the worth of institutions, things, and places not as they are now but as they will be, and to be more ready for what has already and what will happen.
Also, to lose weight--again.
Also, to lose weight--again.
January 1, 2026 at 8:19 PM
My New Year's resolution is to be more open to testing my assumptions, to learn new stuff, to try to better envision the worth of institutions, things, and places not as they are now but as they will be, and to be more ready for what has already and what will happen.
Also, to lose weight--again.
Also, to lose weight--again.
Hunkered down with a scared pup, but we will have a glass of bubbly at midnight.
Happy New Year and please be careful out there.
Happy New Year and please be careful out there.
January 1, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Hunkered down with a scared pup, but we will have a glass of bubbly at midnight.
Happy New Year and please be careful out there.
Happy New Year and please be careful out there.
Happy New Year's Eve to you all. We'll be hunkered down with a scared dog trying to make it through the fireworks while listening to this song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsgi...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsgi...
Auld Lang Syne
YouTube video by Michael Doucet - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Happy New Year's Eve to you all. We'll be hunkered down with a scared dog trying to make it through the fireworks while listening to this song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsgi...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsgi...
“Some things you must always be unable to bear... Injustice & outrage & dishonor & shame. No matter how young you are or how old you have got. Not for kudos & not for cash: your picture in the paper nor money in the bank either. Just refuse to bear them.”
― William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust
― William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust
December 29, 2025 at 6:28 PM
“Some things you must always be unable to bear... Injustice & outrage & dishonor & shame. No matter how young you are or how old you have got. Not for kudos & not for cash: your picture in the paper nor money in the bank either. Just refuse to bear them.”
― William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust
― William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust
Today's my "retirement" anniversary. Best decision ever. I can't believe I missed so many birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacations, & holidays to go work for 16 hours a day & sleep on the ground. Luckily, I still had a bit of time before the kids scattered.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gwj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gwj...
Kool & The Gang - Celebration
YouTube video by KoolAndTheGangVEVO
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Today's my "retirement" anniversary. Best decision ever. I can't believe I missed so many birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacations, & holidays to go work for 16 hours a day & sleep on the ground. Luckily, I still had a bit of time before the kids scattered.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gwj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gwj...
Anyone want to trade Christmas gifts? I've got an "Only You" Smokey Bear t-shirt that I'm reluctantly willing to trade for a vintage Missile Command arcade game or a 52-inch tool chest/rolling workbench combo. Message if interested.
(Each party responsible for shipping their exchange item.)
(Each party responsible for shipping their exchange item.)
December 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Anyone want to trade Christmas gifts? I've got an "Only You" Smokey Bear t-shirt that I'm reluctantly willing to trade for a vintage Missile Command arcade game or a 52-inch tool chest/rolling workbench combo. Message if interested.
(Each party responsible for shipping their exchange item.)
(Each party responsible for shipping their exchange item.)
Today is almost as good as that sugary crust on the bottom of a homemade cinnamon roll.
December 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Today is almost as good as that sugary crust on the bottom of a homemade cinnamon roll.
Mahalia is awesome and this whole album is crazy good.
Merry Christmas all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eizf...
Merry Christmas all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eizf...
Go Tell It On the Mountain
YouTube video by Mahalia Jackson - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Mahalia is awesome and this whole album is crazy good.
Merry Christmas all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eizf...
Merry Christmas all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eizf...
Yay for longer days!
However, it also means summer is coming.
However, it also means summer is coming.
December 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Yay for longer days!
However, it also means summer is coming.
However, it also means summer is coming.
The number 1 movie when you were ten years old will define your 2026.
December 20, 2025 at 4:54 AM
The number 1 movie when you were ten years old will define your 2026.
I get 1-5 with no problem & usually remember 6-7 because birds, but I can never get 8-12 right. All I remember about the later rounds is that there are more guys than gals & it doesn't seem like a party I would have liked in college. I do better with this version.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XS3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XS3...
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
YouTube video by Bob and Doug McKenzie - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I get 1-5 with no problem & usually remember 6-7 because birds, but I can never get 8-12 right. All I remember about the later rounds is that there are more guys than gals & it doesn't seem like a party I would have liked in college. I do better with this version.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XS3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XS3...
Reposted by Jim Whittington🔥
En 2014 yo llevaba años informándome sobre cosas de incendios a través de la prensa. Pero el 1 de marzo de aquel año fue la "Marea de Fuego", la primera manifestación a nivel nacional de bomberos forestales.
Y yo quería saber cómo se estaba desarrollando porque no pude ir.
Casi todo lo que
Y yo quería saber cómo se estaba desarrollando porque no pude ir.
Casi todo lo que
December 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
En 2014 yo llevaba años informándome sobre cosas de incendios a través de la prensa. Pero el 1 de marzo de aquel año fue la "Marea de Fuego", la primera manifestación a nivel nacional de bomberos forestales.
Y yo quería saber cómo se estaba desarrollando porque no pude ir.
Casi todo lo que
Y yo quería saber cómo se estaba desarrollando porque no pude ir.
Casi todo lo que
A little seasonal pick-me-up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Z-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Z-...
The Ventures - Sleigh Ride
YouTube video by TheVenturesMusic
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A little seasonal pick-me-up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Z-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Z-...
In this country, you don't name things after yourself. That's for other people to do after you have ended your public service, should they feel you worthy.
December 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
In this country, you don't name things after yourself. That's for other people to do after you have ended your public service, should they feel you worthy.
I appreciate the NYTimes reporting on this issue, but this article is too much of a brag and dismisses the difficult work done by many wildland firefighters, families, and aligned groups over the years. This law didn't just happen because of a Times story. 1/
Wildfire fighters will be eligible for a payment of nearly $450,000 and college tuition for their family if they die or become debilitated from a smoke-related cancer, under a law signed by President Trump on Thursday.
U.S. Will Pay $450,000 to Wildfire Fighters With Cancer
They will be eligible for a one-time payment as well as college tuition for their children. The effort is part of a legislative push to address the dangers of working in toxic smoke.
nyti.ms
December 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I appreciate the NYTimes reporting on this issue, but this article is too much of a brag and dismisses the difficult work done by many wildland firefighters, families, and aligned groups over the years. This law didn't just happen because of a Times story. 1/
Yikes! Sometimes, you get a forecast that leaves no doubt you'll be reacting to instead of influencing events. A bit of good news: this will be about ignitions, which are often a product of human decisions.
If you're in the area, be smart & stay safe while keeping out of the way of firefighters.
If you're in the area, be smart & stay safe while keeping out of the way of firefighters.
IMPORTANT: NWS Boulder just issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" (PDS) Fire Weather Warning for Boulder, Hwy 93, and the Boulder + northern JeffCo foothills for tomorrow.
Winds: 85-110 mph. Bone dry.
This is a Fire Weather Warning with an exclamation point.
#COwx
Winds: 85-110 mph. Bone dry.
This is a Fire Weather Warning with an exclamation point.
#COwx
December 19, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Yikes! Sometimes, you get a forecast that leaves no doubt you'll be reacting to instead of influencing events. A bit of good news: this will be about ignitions, which are often a product of human decisions.
If you're in the area, be smart & stay safe while keeping out of the way of firefighters.
If you're in the area, be smart & stay safe while keeping out of the way of firefighters.
Reposted by Jim Whittington🔥
Key misunderstanding I want to get ahead of: NCAR isn't really a government agency like NIH or NSF. It's one of the largest NSF grants in history, and is given to a non-profit org called UCAR, whose job is to make NCAR exist (www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/...). That means the buck stops with NSF right now
Award Details - NSF Award Search
Find award details and explore award abstracts and publications.
www.nsf.gov
December 17, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Key misunderstanding I want to get ahead of: NCAR isn't really a government agency like NIH or NSF. It's one of the largest NSF grants in history, and is given to a non-profit org called UCAR, whose job is to make NCAR exist (www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/...). That means the buck stops with NSF right now
Sadly, not unbelievable--I am slightly shocked it has taken this long. It is horrible though, and in every sense of the word.
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
December 17, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Sadly, not unbelievable--I am slightly shocked it has taken this long. It is horrible though, and in every sense of the word.
I wish someone would do a longitudinal study on wildland firefighters & look at how attitudes, leadership, stress, & strategic thinking change as one ages & advances to ever higher complexity positions within the org. We have a little from folks who made the journey, but not much during the journey.
December 16, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I wish someone would do a longitudinal study on wildland firefighters & look at how attitudes, leadership, stress, & strategic thinking change as one ages & advances to ever higher complexity positions within the org. We have a little from folks who made the journey, but not much during the journey.
You ever notice how people who do difficult stuff tend not to talk about it much while those that don't talk a lot?
December 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
You ever notice how people who do difficult stuff tend not to talk about it much while those that don't talk a lot?