As the threat of wildfires looms larger each year, the Bureau of Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region is proactively igniting a regional initiative to protect water infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. Leading this effort is John Hutchings, the Regional Wildland Fire Coordinator. … Walking along the thinning foliage of the hillside at Shasta Dam in northern California, Hutchings explains that the major aspect of the Fire Program includes strategic proactive removal of overgrown vegetation. Hutchings emphasizes that his role diverges from traditional fire initiatives; he does not manage a fire suppression force but focuses on watershed and resource management tailored to combat the growing wildfire risk.