At Mast, our work is rooted in people—those who’ve dedicated their careers, and often their lives, to forests. With more than six million acres across the West in need of reforestation that won’t happen naturally, we know this is a collective effort. Restoring landscapes after wildfire means building an entire ecosystem of partners who share our mission: foresters, seed collectors, scientists, landowners, and operators. Together, we’re expanding the supply chain and economic backbone needed to bring our forests back.
This is where Jessica Braun comes in.
To launch our new series spotlighting good people doing good work for forests, we’re proud to introduce Jessica—a former hotshot firefighter turned founder and owner of Firebreak Management, a company dedicated to protecting homes and first responders from wildfire.
Jessica Braun pictured on the MT1 property
From the Fire Line to Fire Prevention
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I'd say the biggest reason we do this work is for the underserved population of wildland firefighters that don't really get talked about when all the tragedy's happening. Tree strikes are the #1 way wildland firefighters die.
“Hotshot firefighter” isn’t a nickname; it’s a title of elite distinction in wildland firefighting. Hotshots go where engines can’t: through steep, rugged terrain to contain the most dangerous fires. For six years, Jessica served on the Bitterroot Interagency Hotshot Crew, facing extreme conditions that required peak physical and mental endurance.
Her off-seasons were no less intense, filled with trail running, triathlons, mountain climbs, and winter runs to stay fire-ready. Ten years in forestry, recreation, and medical contracting gave her a rare, ground-level understanding of both fire behavior and forest recovery.
One night in Idaho’s Salmon River Breaks would change how she viewed her purpose. Facing the possibility of deploying a fire shelter—the last line of defense between life and death—Jessica realized she wanted to use her experience to prevent these dangerous moments before they start.
[Left] A barren landscape after a wildfire swept across. [Right] Bitterroot Interagency Hotshot Crew vehicle stationed at a wildfire. Photo credit: Jessica Braun
Building Firebreak Management
Jessica founded Firebreak Management to bridge the gap between response and prevention, helping communities reduce wildfire risk before tragedy strikes. Her company focuses on fuels reduction, creating defensible spaces between forests and homes, and educating landowners about practical steps they can take to protect lives and property.
Her approach reframes mitigation as stewardship:
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Good wildfire mitigation is actually just great forestry. And the better you are at forestry, the better wildfire mitigation is. We're buying wildland firefighters and landowners time to ensure everyone's safety.
Ponderosa pine cones being collected at Mast MT1 Wood Preserve
Partnering for Growth
This season, Firebreak Management partnered with Mast Reforestation to collect Montana-based ponderosa pine cones for our seed bank, gathering more than 72 bushels that will be processed and cultivated at Silvaseed, Mast’s seed company.
Her work extends Mast’s mission: to restore forests and reduce the risk of future fires, creating safer, more resilient ecosystems for both people and wildlife.
Jessica believes that living near the woods carries responsibility and opportunity.
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If we live near the woods, it's our responsibility to do a little bit. By hiring Firebreak, you take the pressure off crews and give them time to do their job safely.
Looking Ahead
In the months ahead, we will share a short video telling Jessica’s story from the fireline to the frontlines of prevention.
This series is our way of highlighting the people who make this work possible: the colleagues, contractors, and partners who love forests and dedicate their lives to keeping them—and our communities—resilient.