I was working with pictures while doing some marketing this afternoon. The pictures made me think of the devastation caused by the fires in California this week. The neighborhoods that are the subject of my Focus on Flagstaff Communities blog post today back up to Mt. Elden, scene of the devastating Radio Fire of 1977. The fire burned through unpopulated areas but destroyed a huge, old growth stand of Ponderosa Pines. Now, thirty years later, this is what the mountain that burned looks like:
(It's the lower mountain in this picture that burned. The mountains in the background are the San Francisco Peaks.)
In 1977, the town came out to picnic and watch the fire for days. It swept up one side of the mountain (the side shown in the pictures above) and down the other. The "other side" is now my home. Here's a picture of it:
When we first saw Flagstaff in 1993, the east side of Mt. Elden seemed beautiful to us (it still does - it's my favorite view in town.) As we investigated moving to Flagstaff, I found that many long-time Flagstaff residents had a different perception, saying "why would you want to live there! It's all burned out." Well, here is why: In the thirty years, the burned trees had fallen leaving a majestic view of red rock and deciduous trees, including an ever-expanding stand of Aspens and Oaks that turn the loveliest colors in the Fall. In winter, the red rock asserts itself from the snow-covered mountain, reminding us that we live in the Southwest.
So, take heart, Californians. Someone will love your hillsides again someday.
Greenlaw Neighborhood blog post, which started these musings.
Focus on my favorite neighborhood
If anyone is inspired to buy Flagstaff real estate, contact Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties!
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Ann loves selling real estate. Ann works with a team of in order to provide you the best real estate experience ever! The best advice about the market, selling your home, or finding your dream home
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Very uplifting. Great post.
Thanks for your comment, Chip. And welcome to Active Rain. When you do your first post (don't wait too long -- you learn by doing!) send me a copy.
Ann- agreed, one day they will look good again, but for now....well we don't even have all the fires out yet. Driving up the mountain here, I hated looking at all the destruction, but i do know that after a few years, the new growth will start taking over.
Thank you.....and I just love your area....
Ann- beautiful post. Thank you for your insight.
Ann~
Kind and wise words that somehow make the harshness seems more bearable. We can learn from the Earth. We can recover from our own "fires" where Smart Growth and sustainable development erase the scars we have placed on the Land.
Being from California originally I know what the fires can do and how upsetting it all can be. But when you look at Yellowstone years later you see the benefits of fire. The earth takes care of itself, but I still can't watch the TV news.
Fire is a natural part of the lfe cycle for many wild plants. We humans rarely understand the big picture.
JaneAnne, Dena, and Rosario, thanks! You reminded me of Yellowstone -- a great example. I had the privilege of cross-country skiing in Yellowstone the winters surrounding the fire. Though the landscape was very different during the two winters, it was beautiful both times. One year, we skiied through dark, dense forest to a place called Fairy Falls, where a water fall had stopped in place for the winter. The place was enchanting and COLD with the water fall solid ice. The next year, we skiied through the burn to get to Fairy Falls. It was enchanting, with the water flowing and reflections with sun directly hitting the falls. Our guide explained that soon after the fire pass through, the area was filled with wildflowers in a matter of weeks -- not even waiting for the next season before the ground started to renew. We humans just need to swing with the changes of the earth.
Thanks, Ann. As a former Arizonan, I remember the fires up on the Mogollan Rim 6-7 years back; that place is renewing, also.
We're starting the healing process this weekend.
Yes, Brian. That area is below us in elevation. Thanks for your comment.
This a.m., as I was out for my hike in the beautiful Flagstaff morning, I was reminded of the continued suffering in CA -- our southern horizon is covered by red tinted smoke that I think is coming from CA.