Seth Mitchell, Deputy Forest Fire Management Officer, (RX and Fuels). Comments are my own.
Santa Barbara, CA
Joined January 2024
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Seth Mitchell retweeted
Collaboration drives capability.
This week, states and federal partners have strengthened the National IAA Program in Ogden, UT. This group continues to deliver trusted intelligence to wildland fire and all-hazard incidents 24/7/365. Together, we're advancing infrared mapping with a shared vision of preparedness and interagency coordination.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office extends our sincerest condolences to the U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest as they mourn the passing of Robert Taylor.
We express our deepest sympathies to Robert Taylor’s family, friends, and to all who served with him as we honor his legacy and remember his dedication to the forest service.
@forestservice @LosPadresNF #SheriffTinaNieto #MontereySheriff #MCSO
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Our public lands are facing a maintenance crisis, with unusable trails, unsafe bridges, and unprecedented wildfire risk. That’s why I joined my colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Forest Service about how layoffs, hiring restrictions, and budget cuts are affecting its ability to maintain our trails and protect nearby communities. I will continue working in Congress to keep our trails safe and accessible and protect our public lands in California’s 19th Congressional District.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
@Tunnel2Towers the foundation is a true blessing in so many lives. Thank you to the foundation for changing the life of one of our local Hotshot Firefighters..a true hero in our lives. Severely injured battling a fire in CA, this young man continues to inspire us all. 🫡
🇺🇸🔥
Seth Mitchell retweeted
They’re hungry, hardworking, and helping to reduce wildfire risk.
This Southern California landowner is utilizing a CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant to put 900 goats and sheep to work to help stop future wildfires. This @ABC7 story details the many benefits to the whole community.
This grant was secured with help from their local Fire Safe Council.
🐐 Watch the full story here: youtube.com/watch?v=8rtk4Fr8…
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Man Arrested After Admitting to Starting Multiple Brush Fires in Santa Barbara edhat.com/news/man-arrested-…
Seth Mitchell retweeted
MOUNT PINOS | FOREST ACCESS REMINDER 🌲
If you’re heading into Los Padres National Forest around Mount Pinos, a couple of continuing restrictions are worth checking before you go.
The Dry Canyon closure remains in effect within the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, covering designated areas, roads, trails and Dome Springs Campground.
Forest-wide fire restrictions also remain in place. Cooler fall weather does not automatically mean restrictions have been lifted.
Before heading out, check the latest U.S. Forest Service alerts and the closure map for the specific area you plan to visit:
fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/al…
These are continuing restrictions — not a new closure of Mount Pinos itself.
A little planning before heading into the forest can save a long drive to a closed road or trail. 🌲
Source: U.S. Forest Service — Los Padres National Forest
#CaLandBird #CLBLP #MountPinos #MtPinos #LosPadres #LosPadresNF #FrazierMountain #FrazierPark #PublicLands #TrailConditions #ForestAccess #California #StayCurious
Seth Mitchell retweeted
SIXTEEN MINUTES. ❤️🔥
These are the people who made those sixteen minutes count.
I was sitting at my dining room table this afternoon when the fire alert came through. I got up, looked out my kitchen window — and saw flames and smoke rising from our neighborhood.
The Trail Fire was burning among homes in Frazier Park. The initial report indicated two homes were immediately threatened.
The first Watch Duty report came through at approximately 4:46 PM.
At 5:00 PM, the fire was reported knocked down.
At 5:02 PM, Incident Command reported forward progress stopped.
Sixteen minutes.
And this is what those sixteen minutes looked like on the ground.
While we were watching the smoke rise, firefighters and handcrews were heading toward it. U.S. Forest Service, Kern County and other responding personnel converged on a small residential area and went to work.
I captured this moment — firefighters carrying their gear and hand tools toward the fire while smoke was still hanging over the neighborhood.
Yesterday, we watched crews quickly get a fire under control along the Grapevine.
Today, we watched them do it again — right here at home.
A quarter-acre number on a screen doesn't tell this story. The flames, the homes nearby, the speed of the response — and these men and women walking toward it — do.
Thank you to every firefighter, handcrew member, dispatcher, law-enforcement officer and responder who showed up for our mountain community today.
You didn't just stop a fire.
You protected our neighbors and their homes. ❤️
📸 CaLandBird | Frazier Park
#CaLandBird #CLBLP #TrailFire #FrazierPark #LosPadres #LosPadresNF #Firefighters #USForestService #KernCountyFire #KernCounty #CAwx
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Wildland firefighters put their health on the line every time they answer the call. We need to have their backs.
I’m proud to join Rep. Maxine Dexter and @RepHuffman , along with @SenJeffMerkley , @SenAlexPadilla, @SenJohnCurtis and @SenSheehyPress , in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act to better protect the men and women who protect our communities.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Hwy 1 through Big Sur is fully open following support for Timber Fire emergency response operations. A huge THANK YOU to our first responders, keeping the community safe. And thank you to residents, visitors, and travelers for your patience during the response.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
After a long assignment in the Northwest, the Los Padres Hotshots stopped by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) campus. Formed in 1948, this crew was among the first hotshot crews in the U.S. The crew was briefed on all aspects of operations at NIFC and was recognized at the daily National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) meeting.
Information and photos courtesy of @NIFC_Fire
Seth Mitchell retweeted
So fortunate to have Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris and his crew protecting our communities. Good to be on the ground to hear firsthand about the Timber Fire response and the work our first responders are doing to contain this wildfire.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
@SoCalUSFS_Fire was honored to welcome these responders to the U.S. through Los Angeles and San Francisco International Airports. Their arrival was supported by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service California Geographic Area and the Los Angeles City Fire Department as they begin their mission supporting wildfires across the West. @Angeles_NF @LAFDtalk
Nearly 250 fire specialists from Australia and New Zealand arrived in the United States this week to assist with wildland fire response, and we were ready to support them with engines ready to go.
In just one week, 24 of our Department of the Interior engines from 18 states were mobilized to Boise, Idaho at the National Interagency Fire Center, ahead of the international crews’ arrival. That includes 21 engines ready for staffing, plus three backup engines to help keep resources moving if a breakdown occurs.
Our Division of Fleet and Equipment had all hands on deck to inspect, repair, stock and prepare the engines for mobilization, with support from staff that traveled from fleet centers in Missoula, Montana, and Dulce, New Mexico.
And the support doesn’t stop when the engines leave NIFC. Four service trucks with technicians are traveling with the strike teams, providing inspections, maintenance and repairs along the way.
A lot of work happens behind the scenes to get resources ready. We’re proud of the teams making it happen in a moment's notice.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Today we thank all the heavy equipment operators who work year-round to lower wildfire risk to our communities & forests. Whether it’s building fuel breaks, creating defensible space, or withstanding the heat from a wildfire, they give their all to keep our communities & us safe.
ALT Jason Crawford stands in front of heavy equipment
Seth Mitchell retweeted
The Grasshopper Fire in Mt. Hood National Forest is now 54,222 acres and 23% contained.
The Grasshopper Fire is well established in the Badger and Jordan Creek drainages and has crossed over Bennett Pass into the Hood River drainage. The fire was active in these areas for most of the shift. The western flank has reached Highway 35 near Hellroaring Creek.
On the north side of the fire perimeter, spot fires from yesterday merged with the advancing flank prompting additional evacuation status upgrades north of the fire. Oregon Department of Transportation closed a section of Highway 35 from Wamic Road on the south end northward to Cooper Spur.
Remember, Mt. Hood National Forest was sued after they tried to do fuel management projects here, shutting the project down. The project was called the Grasshopper project.
📷 Mt. Hood National Forest Eastern Management Area
Seth Mitchell retweeted
View From Above — Multiple @SoCalUSFS_Fire resources are responding to the #TimberFire on the Los Padres National Forest south of Big Sur. The fire is 180 acres with multiple aircraft, crews, engines, and bulldozers assigned. @LosPadresNF
Seth Mitchell retweeted
California Interagency Incident Management Team 6 is hard at work managing the #GrasshopperFire on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. The fire has grown to 21,576 acres and is one of 42 uncontained large fires currently burning across the Northwest Geographic Area.
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Congratulations to @NWSBayArea IMET Ryan Walburn on becoming a "Triple Ace" - 75 wildfire missions! #ChasingPerfection #CatchingExcellence
Seth Mitchell retweeted
Today we recognize Angeles National Forest Fire & Aviation Management Deputy Chief Alex Liau for his dedicated 31 years of service to the American public.
Chief Liau retires from federal service on July 31st.
Chief Liau spent his career on the Angeles National Forest working on hotshot crews, helicopters, engines, eventually promoting to the Little Tujunga Hotshot Superintendent. He then moved to Superintendent of the Dalton Hotshots and then promoted to Division Chief working in Glendora. Alex finished out his career as Deputy Chief at Forest Headquarters in Arcadia.
Fire Chief Robert Garcia presents the ceremonial chrome brush hook to Chief Liau. The brush hook symbolizes the duty, respect, and integrity of the US Forest Service wildland firefighter.
Chief Liau, congratulations on your retirement!
@SoCalUSFS_Fire @FSNIFC
Seth Mitchell retweeted
After finishing an assessment of the 27,000-acre Pocket Fire, the Burned Area Emergency Response team says 70% burned at either low or very low severity.
knau.org/knau-and-arizona-ne…
