In 2023, fire managers on the San Juan National Forest and their partners faced many of the same challenges they face every summer; but by embracing different ways of thinking about fire and communicating difficult tradeoffs effectively with partners, they improved relationships and aligned support through several large, long duration events. ‘Evolution in Thinking’ depicts SJNF fire managers in candid interviews as they reflect on 2023 fire response decisions and recognize that reflexive thinking may have prevented them from seeing opportunities. Their experience models ‘an evolution,’ a shift toward more nuanced, risk-informed, and strategic fire response, and it informs ongoing research around fire and risk decisions.