1 He and everyone in his lab have basic firefighter training. They travel with fire shelters, radios and yellow fire-resistant clothing.

2 He enjoys fly-fishing, back country skiing, rock climbing and backpacking.

3 He has been to Greece, New Zealand, Italy, Australia and Greenland to research and advise governments on fire science.

4 He collects and repairs 1980s electronic instruments, drum machines and synthesizers.

5 He was in a band in the late 1980s and worked at Diablo Valley College’s recording studio.