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The federal wildfire service has a gender-equity problem: in fiscal year 2021, 84% of firefighters were men. Federal land agencies have publicly committed to working on a number of diversity issues, and a relatively new crew for women in the southeast is part of an effort to attract and keep more women in the profession.

Boulder Reporting Lab Reporter Tim Drugan joined us to talk about insurance carriers rethinking their coverage offerings in fire-prone Colorado and the latest in Marshall fire-related lawsuits against Xcel Energy.

The infrastructure bill President Biden signed last month contains potentially big boosts in pay for wildland firefighters as well as expanded mental health services and more opportunities for permanent, year-round work.

"It's the most gratifying job I'll ever have," says a former hotshot. "But it's also a job that made me contemplate suicide and think that my family was better off with a life insurance check than being around what turned into seasonal depression."

The pay initiative is part of the Biden administration's plans to improve working conditions for federal wildland firefighters.

Fire officials say Colorado should see a less active wildfire season this year. Caley Fisher with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control…