Lucas Mayfield

MYSTERY RANCH Fire Ambassador

Hometown

I was born and raised in Moscow, Idaho for the most part. I had the fortunate ability to spend most summers in a variety of locations in the Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest

Resides

My family and I live in Belgrade, Montana

Profession

I am the Head of Operations for BurnBot. BurnBot is a tech forward startup that is working towards reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire while increasing the pace and scale of landscape stewardship.

My name is Luke Mayfield, and working in the outdoors for my grandpa, Northwest Youth Corps, and as a federal wildland firefighter built, and shaped the way in which I've navigated life. I'm fortunate to have and had a wide swath of family - and friends I call family - assist me along the way. Long days, a cold drink, and sore feet sure make you appreciate the view.

Looking back on your career in wildland fire, what accomplishments stand out as the most meaningful or reflective of your commitment to the profession?

Four things:

  1. Spending three summers with Northwest Youth Corps from the ages of 16 - 18 as a crewmember, peer leader, and attending their backcountry leadership program.
  2. My first summer with the Forest Service in North Fork, Idaho on a packing crew using crosscut saws and double bit axes in the Frank Church Wilderness. I also got bit by the fire bug that summer.
  3. Hotshotting, from seeing my first hotshot crew in the summer of 2001, the journey to becoming a hotshot, and 12 years spent on three crews learning from, being led by, and leading some of the finest humans this earth has to offer.
  4. The fire family that you gain from a career in wildland fire.

Foundations:

  • I’m one of the Co-Founders of the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters and former President and Vice President. I’m looking forward to remaining on the board of directors and seeing Grassroots evolve under a new set of leadership and board members.
  • 12 years of my federal career were spent on Interagency Hotshot Crews and I’m a supporter of the US Hotshots Association.
  • Additionally, I love seeing what Anthony Powers does for the fire community via his organization Hotshot Up. If folks don’t know about Hotshot Up, please check it out.
  • For real time assistance when bad things happen on or off the line I advocate for the Eric Marsh Foundation and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

What Mystery Ranch Packs do you Run?

  • I like the 3 Day Assault for just about anything.
  • I’m a fan of the Big Ernie 2.0 for my line pack and the Flight Monster for travel.
  • The Mission Packing Cubes are also a favorite. I’m typically a fan of anything designed and developed by the MYSTERY RANCH mission designers and developers. They are the best in the world at what they do.

Other Sponsors:

My radical wife and daughter.

Favorite Quote:

"You must challenge the assumptions underlying doctrine.” - Lt. Col. John Boyd

“Embrace the Suck”