Firestorm Economics: How Veterans Are Battling Wildfire Risk In California | Frontline Voices | Veteran Fellowship Program | Hoover Institution

Two Marine Corps veterans and Hoover Fellows, Dave Winnacker and Donnie Hasseltine, break down California’s wildfire crisis—not from a sensational angle, but with sharp insight on what’s really at stake. They reveal how outdated fire strategies, rising insurance costs, and inaction are creating a perfect storm that could implode the state’s housing market. Drawing from their Hoover fellowship capstone, they explain why the solution isn’t more tech—it’s micro-level action and community-wide coordination. From defense-in-depth analogies to pricing risk through insurance markets, this conversation will change how you think about climate risk, public policy, and collective responsibility.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Frontline Voices is part of the Veteran Fellowship Program at the Hoover Institution. Applications to join the 2025 Cohort of the Veteran Fellow Program is now available until July 31, 2025. Click here to apply.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Dave Winnacker is a retired fire chief with over two decades of service across California, most recently leading the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. A former Marine Corps infantry officer and senior reserve commander, he also served in key wildfire leadership roles at the state level. As a Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow at Stanford, he focuses on the intersection of wildfire and property insurance. He co-founded XyloPlan Risk and helped launch ZoneHaven, an evacuation software used across California.

Donnie Hasseltine is a cybersecurity executive, Marine Corps combat veteran, and seasoned operator with over 20 years of leadership across military, tech, and security sectors. He has led high-performing teams in crisis environments and brings deep expertise in B2B SaaS, cybersecurity strategy, and enterprise risk. A Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow at Stanford, Donnie focuses on applying military and tech-driven insights to public sector challenges. He also co-founded ZoneHaven and XyloPlan Risk, pioneering tools for wildfire risk and community safety.