Hey everyone, welcome back to The Lookout. Today is Christmas Eve, and we’ve kind of got a break in the storms here, and we’re resting, catching up on things.
It’s been quite the year here. This is our first year doing The Lookout full-time. It was a leap of faith. I gave notice on the sixth of January, 2025, and then the next day, the LA Fires started, and so it was kind of an affirmation for us that The Lookout was needed and that we were going to have work. We ended up traveling to Southern California in May to make a series about wildfire hazards in LA, and ended up covering fires in Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and California – we made 70 videos in 70 days, starting on July 1st!
I’ve been in wildfire contracting for my entire career, so I am pretty used to the idea that if you have a slow fire year, you might not make very much money, but still, it’s been a little little crazy-making this year, not having a steady paycheck and going with the flow of The Lookout. But we made it through the year! And we did alright. It feels like we’re in the river, and the river’s taking us where it’s going to go, which requires us to be really flexible. We had a couple old friends come to the house last night to buy last-minute Christmas gifts – we’re making our living with lots of different streams of of income, selling axes, selling hats, T shirts, hoodies, getting donations from people when we’re reporting on fires, getting monthly donations, consulting, teaching, helping lead prescribed fire trainings. We’re in it! The Lookout is working, we’re healthy, and it feels like good things are in store. So all I want for Christmas is a Type-VI wildland fire engine, and that’s what this episode is all about.
What’s a type six engine? They’re an engine that’s usually built on a pickup chassis that carries 150 gallons or more of water, and they’re kind of the bread and butter of prescribed fire. They’re just they’re really versatile. You can kind of four-wheel them out into the middle of nowhere, get into the nooks and crannies of a unit and pump a hose lay, or be mobile for response. They don’t carry a lot of water, but enough that you can put out a spot fire or use them for wet lining. When I write burn plans, usually I’m requiring some sort of mobile water handling device, like a type six engine.
I want to have an engine for The Lookout because, more than anything, we are in the education business. The majority of the prescribed burning work we do involves teaching people how to burn for themselves, and being able to show up at a burn with good equipment – whether as the burn boss, as a hired instructor, or as a volunteer – makes things better/safer for everyone. It never hurts to have extra equipment on hand!
So here’s the big ask: We just got given an amazing, professional-quality wildfire slip-in fire pump from our longest-running sponsor, QTAC, but I don’t have a suitable four-wheel drive truck to use it with. We are looking for someone to donate a 4WD diesel pickup truck or funds to purchase one. The video below lays out our proposal.
Our new slip-in pump unit – *TRUCK AND TOOLBOXES NOT INCLUDED
Here is a video from QTAC about the Tsunami Pro Series slip-in pump they are giving us.
Action Items
- [ ] Acquire a four-wheel-drive diesel pickup (F-250, F-350, or RAM, GMC, or Chevy 2500 or 3500, ideally 2010+ and under 200,000 miles) to serve as the chassis for a Type 6 fire engine.
- [ ] If we can’t get a truck donated, we need to fundraise approximately $30-40,000 to purchase a suitable truck and buy required equipment (flatbed, toolboxes, hose, nozzles, brass fittings) to build out the fire engine
- [ ] Convert the acquired truck into a fully equipped Type 6 fire engine in the ZKO Design shop using the donated QTAC pump and purchased hardware (build flatbed, install toolboxes, plumbing, and hose connections)
- [ ] Sell my existing two-wheel-drive pickup and apply proceeds toward purchasing parts and equipment needed to complete the Type 6 fire engine build
Summary of Video
Zeke Lunder’s Reflection on the Year and Christmas Wish
- Zeke Lunder welcomes everyone to the Lookout, noting it’s Christmas Eve and a break in the storms.
- He reflects on the past year, mentioning it’s the first year doing the Lookout full-time, which was a leap of faith.
- Zeke shares that the LA Fire starting the day after he gave notice was a sign that the Lookout was needed.
- He describes the year as chaotic due to the lack of a steady paycheck but feels they made it through.
Diverse Income Streams and Christmas Wish
- Zeke explains their diverse income streams, including selling axes, hats, T-shirts, hoodies, and getting donations.
- He mentions consulting, teaching, and leading prescribed fire trainings as additional sources of income.
- Zeke humorously states that all he wants for Christmas is a Type 6 fire engine.
- He introduces the main topic of the episode, which is about the Type 6 fire engine.
Introduction to Type 6 Fire Engine
- Zeke explains what a Type 6 fire engine is, mentioning his experience with small fire engines in his career.
- He describes the Type 6 engine as a versatile vehicle built on a pickup chassis that carries 150 gallons or more of water.
- Zeke highlights the importance of the Type 6 engine in prescribed fire operations, especially for mobile water handling.
- He mentions that he needs a Type 6 engine for his burn plans and mobile response.
QTAC Sponsorship and Fire Pump
- Zeke introduces QTAC as their first sponsor, which has helped grow the Lookout channel.
- He explains that as part of their annual sponsorship for 2026, Chico-based fire equipment manufacturer, QTAC, is giving them a fire pump.
- Zeke mentions that he needs a four-wheel drive truck to use the fire pump effectively.
- He describes the fire pump as the guts of a fire engine and asks for help in finding a suitable truck.
Campaign for a Four-Wheel Drive Truck
- Zeke outlines his campaign to find a four-wheel drive diesel pickup for the Lookout.
- He specifies the ideal truck: less than 200,000 miles, made since 2010, and ideally not being used.
- Zeke explains that he will sell his existing pickup to buy the necessary equipment for the new truck.
- He mentions that he has a great workshop in Chico to convert the truck into a fire engine.
Fundraising and Sponsorship Opportunities
- Zeke acknowledges that finding a truck is a big ask but emphasizes the need for the Lookout.
- He suggests that someone might have inherited a truck or has a fleet and doesn’t need it.
- Zeke proposes raising $30-40,000 to buy a suitable truck and all the necessary equipment.
- He offers various incentives for donors, including naming the truck, becoming a sponsor, or being credited as an executive producer.
Closing Remarks and Gratitude
- Zeke expresses gratitude for the support throughout the year.
- He mentions the various activities they were able to do and the success of the Lookout.
- Zeke reiterates his commitment to continuing the Lookout.
- He wishes everyone a happy new year and thanks them for their support.