And then came the evacuations to protect human life. Whole towns, ranches and homes were notified to leave and go to shelters in Miami until fire swept through. My heartfelt caring went out to all of those who had to leave their homes, not knowing if they would ever see them again. What goes through one’s mind when you have only a few hours to gather what is most important? It is odd what some chose to take. But the Woodbury Wildfire didn’t care about such matters. It was hungry and, in a feeding frenzy, it instantly devoured anything in its erratic path. 

I became personally involved with this fire because my friend Peter Bigfoot runs an off-the-grid wilderness school -- Reevis Mountain School of Self-Reliance. It is nestled in a valley in the Superstitions and was right in the path of the oncoming fire tornado. His nickname “Bigfoot” stuck because he has size fourteen feet and makes his own shoes.

Only a few days before this fire hit the Reevis Mountain School property, US Forest Service gave them notice they would soon have to leave. Then both fire fighters and Peter and his interns began clearing brush and trimming up trees in hopes of giving the fire less fuel. At times, there were 15-18 firefighters at this site working tirelessly in the sweltering three-digit heat. The Hotshots from Globe set up a remarkable portable, powerful sprinkler system to keep main buildings from burning. And fire lines were dug on hillsides and property to discourage the wildfire which grew bigger and raced faster with the shifting forceful winds. 

Next, all the farm animals had to be transported down to a distant neighboring ranch for safety. And residents too were advised to leave for safety. When Peter and Intern Jacqueline went to Globe for supplies and tried to come back, they were barred from crossing the line. And to their horror, they saw against the night sky “what looked like a wall of fire coming down the canyon of Campaign Creek at the School. Staring in disbelief, they were “horrified, terrified…. a sinking feeling came over us. How could it survive such a blaze?”

This Woodbury Fire became the fifth largest wildfire in the history of Arizona and burned 123,000 acres. The fire fighters did an amazing job of fighting this wildfire. I learned that their Headquarters in Albuquerque responsibly predicts some of wildfires each year. They had additional people, engines and crews, Type 3 teams, resources, portable tanks, etc. stationed in nearby areas so resources were available quickly and locally. These essentials helped fire fighters move into the fire area swiftly and effectively, mitigating some of the wildfire challenges.

My friend Peter Bigfoot knows about challenges. In the summer of 1976, he set out across the blistering Sonoran Desert in a record heat wave for an 85-mile bush whacking trek with only a camera, compass and map to document his journey. He relied upon his wilderness skills to forage for any food and water along the way and even found the plant to heal the hepatitis he got from drinking bad water polluted by a dead cow. His wilderness wisdom was truly put to the test. Many people heard about his historic trek and sought him out to learn his survival skills. In 1980, Bigfoot opened his Reevis Mountain School of Self-Reliance (RMS) which continues to teach Herb Classes, Self-Reliant Healing, Homestead/Off Grid Living, Stone Masonry, Oriental Acupressure and Herbal Pharmacology. RMS also has a line of tinctures, teas, herbs, remedies and books by Bigfoot. The acre organic garden produce is sold at farmer’s market. See website: www.reevismountain.org. 

I visited Reevis Mountain School in the aftermath of the wildfire and was encouraged as parts of the School DID survive. Miraculously, the historic homestead home/Community House, the acre organic garden, the stone bath house and powerhouse, some of the cabins and Peter’s own Yurpee (his design- a created combination of teepee and yurt) and much of the orchard. At least a dozen fruit bearing trees were destroyed; a huge resource yard burned completely down; the water lines were all melted; the spring hampered and the Yurpee school house burned completely down and, oddly, a huge tree was devoured by fire but the RMS sign was still standing. The fire was so intense that it melted glass windows and the only remains of a stack of tires was the wire tread that looked like a bird’s nest.    

But the good news is that the School is operational again and October classes are scheduled to be taught: Herbal Pharmacology and Oriental Acupressure. Full details of classes and what is included can be found on website: www.reevismountain.org. Fire recovery information for RMS is www.facebook.com/reevismountain

Many people who know about Reevis Mountain School have asked how they can help. If your kindness leads you to help, you can find instructions on how to send your donation by visiting the website or mailing any kind donation to: Reevis Mountain School, 7448 S. JB Ranch Road, Roosevelt, AZ 86645. (note RMS Fire Recovery Fund.) It is a 5013c division of PAAK Foundation. 

I began taking courses at RMS in the early 80s and found the information most helpful and practical. My initial trepidation was I was afraid if my car broke down in the desert, how would I survive? Now, when I walk in the desert and wilderness, I smile as I walk by many plant friends -- I know they can give me food, shelter and medicine. You may enjoy visiting this magical place as a guest-stay or a class participant. And the organic food preparations are absolutely healthful and delicious!

I invite all of us to think about the really important things in life and ask, “If I had to leave my home in one hour, what would I take? How would I change my lifestyle?” May your thoughts lead you to your best gifts of all, those possessions that are not tangible but lovingly intrinsic in each of us. 

I think Bigfoot’s philosophy says it best on the tee shirt he wears: “Live what you love.”