Wildfire isn’t a what if in the Santa Ynez Valley — it’s a when.

In this episode of Chopping It Up, I sit down with Dave Gonzales, a man who’s been running toward the flames since 1973. With more than fifty years in the fire service, Dave brings the kind of wisdom you can only earn by standing on the line, reading the wind, and making split-second decisions when everything is on the line.

This is a conversation about preparation, protection, and perspective. We dig into:

• The tools that matter most — apps like Watch Duty and PulsePoint that give you real-time intel when every second counts.

• Defensible space and fuel loads — why bark mulch, oak leaf “duff,” and overhanging branches are hidden tinderboxes, and how to harden your home before sparks ever fly.

• The M&Ms — Memories and Medicine. The two things you grab first when it’s time to evacuate.

• Go bags & bug-out plans — how to pack, when to leave, and why waiting until the “Go” order is too late.

• Animals and trailers — from loading horses at night with just a headlamp, to calming them with your own energy, to keeping trailers road-ready so you can move fast.

• Everyday spark hazards — dragging chains, catalytic converters in tall grass, weed whackers hitting rocks, even a horseshoe striking stone.

But more than that, we talk about community. About how neighbors with trucks and trailers show up before you even call. About why saying thank you to firefighters and law enforcement matters. And about what it means to live in a valley where people open their doors to strangers in need, no questions asked.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about respect — for the land, for the fire, and for each other.

Because when the sky turns orange, the time for preparation is over.