Six Rivers National Forest Hired a New Interagency Fire Chief

Josh Mathiesen Interagency fire chief

Josh Mathiesen new interagency fire chief [photo from Six Rivers Forest]

The following is a press release from the Six Rivers National Forest:

Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Ted McArthur announced that Josh Mathiesen has been selected as the new interagency fire chief for the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National Park.

“Josh brings a wealth of fire management experience to the forest,” said McArthur. He added, “We’re all looking forward to having him here on the Six Rivers.”

Josh grew up on the central coast of California and graduated from Atascadero High School in 1990. That same year, he became a firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management and the Kern Valley Hotshots based in Bakersfield, California. After 4 years there, he became a smokejumper with the California Smokejumpers based in Redding, California. Throughout his 25-year career as a smokejumper, Josh has been engaged in various detail opportunities—from forest aviation officer and deputy forest fire chief, to forest fire chief.

He views his new position as forest fire chief on the Six Rivers National Forest “as an exciting opportunity and looks forward to working with the forest and local communities in addressing the challenges that lie ahead.”

Josh has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Chico State University, and a master’s degree in communication and leadership studies from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

Josh is married and has a daughter, who is serving in the US Army, currently in South Korea. When not working, Josh enjoys traveling, cooking in his brick oven, riding his bike, running and lifting weights.

Josh, whose first day on the forest is April 1, replaces former Fire Chief Mike Minton, who left the forest in March 2018, for a position with the National Park Service.

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Willie Caso-Mayhem
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5 years ago

🕯He looks qualified to me.👍🏾

Jon Madden
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Jon Madden
5 years ago

He looks like Bret Favre to me.