Rocio Macias and boyfriend Brandon Acosta standing in front of their completed mural.
During an otherwise wet winter, wildland firefighter and artist Rocio Macias enjoyed three weeks of dry weather in the park in January 2025 camping, exploring. learning, and painting. Rocio was joined in her Whiskeytown residency by her boyfriend Brandon Acosta. Rocio and Brandon made a large mural entitled El Incêndio: A Gift in Crimson Fire. The duo spent over 300 hours making this large mural comprised of acrylic paint and plywood; they even stayed up the entire night a couple of nights working on it! The mural is currently at Oak Bottom Amphitheater where the public is invited to view it.
At work on the mural.
Rocio Macias' Artist Statement
"I stepped into the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in January 2025, a place still bearing scars of the devastating Carr Fire that had swept through in 2018. Yet amidst the destruction, signs of life began to sprout and I couldn’t help but be struck by the resilience of nature in the aftermath of the megafire.
"I have always been mesmerized by the raw power of fire as a natural force. As a wildland firefighter, I have spent countless hours studying and respecting its importance in our ever changing and warmer modern world. It's intriguing how our perception of fire has evolved. Once seen as a destructive and violent element to be extinguished, we are now beginning to understand it as a necessary and transformative tool for the cycle of life.
"When I set out to create a large mural painting encapsulating the essence of fire's role in nature, I knew I had to draw from my understanding and experiences I had on the fireline. The charred landscape bore witness to both devastation and rebirth, highlighting the intricate balance of destruction and regeneration in the natural world. Inspired by this, I embarked on a journey to explore the adaptive nature of plant life in the park, collaborating with park botanists to understand the symbiotic relationship between fire and flora. Species like the knobcone pine, with its unique seed-sprouting mechanism triggered by specific temperatures, and fire-resistant flora such as Yerba Santa and Chamise, became symbols of nature's unwavering will to thrive that I wanted to incorporate into my large mural.
"Incorporating endangered animal species like the Pacific Fisher and the species of concern such as the Long-eared fringed bat into my painting was my way of shedding light on their existence. The intricate details of each animal depicted the diversity of wildlife thriving within the park's boundaries. From the playful river otters splashing in the crystal ice melted lake waters to the majestic black bears roaming the dense forests, every creature plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of life. It was a reminder that nature is resilient and unwavering, even in the face of adversity.
"Through each brushstroke, I aimed to capture the contrasting beauty that emerges from destruction, highlighting the vital role fires play in sustaining ecological balance. The choice of material, wood plywood, served as a metaphor for the fleeting yet transformative nature of fire, breathing new life into a medium that once lay dormant. Carving out the layers of plywood to create a three-dimensional mural added depth and dimension to my artwork. Shadows brought a sense of movement and life to the static piece.
"In this mural, I hope to illuminate the profound connection between the devastation we witness as firefighters and the hope for renewal that drives us forward. It is a reminder of the beautiful balance that exists between destruction and regeneration, a balance that we must strive to preserve for generations to come. I hope that this mural will serve as a beacon of hope for this community, a reminder of our collective duty to protect the delicate balance of nature that Macias 2 sustains us all. In finding that balance, I aim to serve the community and its residents in a way that is both beautiful and necessary, as both an artist and a firefighter."
Working on the large mural at Park Headquarters.
Rocio's Presentation
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, in a public presentation, Rocio and Brandon showcased their finished mural to roughly 15 park visitors. Here are some things that Rocio and Brandon said that struck us interpretive park rangers as profound...
"Destruction is not the end."
"We as a society don't like to talk about it, but warming temperatures are largely fueling our wildfires."
"In our homes we sweep and vacuum and pick things up to keep it clean. Most forests need fire to stay clean. Fires clean up and burn and remove underbrush."
"Blue jays are a symbol of hope."
Check out the mural in-person at the Oak Bottom Amphitheater!
