Santa Ynez Firefighter Killed in Arizona Blaze

Sean Misner, 26, a 2005 Santa Ynez High School graduate, was among the 19 firefighters killed in the Arizona wildfire Sunday.

He was the nephew of Montecito Fire District operations chief Terry McElwee and grandson of former Montecito fire chief Herb McElwee. Misner was a member of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot firefighting crew in Prescott, AZ. He reportedly attended Yavapai College, located in Arizona, and majored in fire science.

He had been married less than a year, and he and his wife were expecting their first child later this year.

“The devastating loss of nineteen lives in the Arizona wildfire on June 30, 2013 has not only affected the fire service overall, but one of our own Montecito Fire families,” the Montecito district announced Monday. “We send our heart-felt condolences to all the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

The Montecito Firefighter’s Charitable Foundation (a nonprofit organization) is establishing a fund to assist the families of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hot Shots. To make a donation, make checks out to the “Montecito Firefighter’s Charitable Foundation.” The Tax ID number is 204817396. In the memo portion reference “Nineteen Lost.”

Submit donations by mail to Montecito Firefighter’s Charitable Foundation, PO Box 5881, Montecito, CA 93150. Submit donations in person to Montecito Fire Station 1 at 595 San Ysidro Road in Montecito.

The district will also be accepting donations at the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast.