When the Fire Wouldn’t Sleep: September’s Extreme Wildfire Behaviour and the Rise of First Nations Leadership with Fire Chief Paul McCarthy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Fire Chief Paul McCarthy of the 150 Mile Fire Department and Emergency Program Manager for the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN), joins host Tim Conrad for a deep dive into one of the most unpredictable wildfire seasons in recent memory. Paul reflects on the “September surprise” — a period when calm forecasts collapsed overnight, fires ran kilometres in the dark, and emergency operations teams were forced to pivot every few minutes.Knucwentwecw is a Secwepemctsin (Shuswap) word meaning "helping each other" or "working together physically and mentally. - Quoted within this episode.Paul shares candid insights from inside the Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre, where he supported major evacuations, navigated rapidly shifting fire behaviour, and helped coordinate scarce resources across a vast region. He and Tim revisit the tense moments when wind‑driven fires threatened communities, barns, cultural sites, and entire valleys.See the trailer for the Sugarcane documentary, a National Geographic Documentary Film based at the Sugarcane community (WLFN), a debut film by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie. The conversation also traces the evolution of First Nations emergency management over the past two decades — from being excluded from decision‑making to becoming essential partners with formal roles, agreements, and a legislated duty to consult. Paul highlights the strength, collaboration, and resilience he sees daily within Williams Lake First Nation, and how those values shape modern emergency response.This episode blends frontline experience, leadership lessons, and a clear-eyed look at how wildfire seasons are changing — and how communities are adapting.Visit www.communicationspodcast.com for more detailed show info including photos and videos.