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The Valley Fire
at The Mountain Of Attention

In response to the many inquiries we have been receiving about the September 2015 "Valley Fire" and The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary, we have created this special presentation. Links where you can find further information are provided below.

The Valley Fire at The Mountain Of Attention, September 2015 The Valley Fire at The Mountain Of Attention, September 2015 (click image to enlarge)

This article has several subsections:

1. Introduction
2. To Learn More or to Help
3. During the Fire
4. After the Fire
5. Recovery

1. Introduction

The Valley Fire, with Clear Lake and Mount Konocti in the foreground The Valley Fire, with Clear Lake and Mount Konocti in the foreground — September 12-14, 2015. (© Michael Hardy) (click image to enlarge)

In September of 2015, a devastating fire — called the "Valley Fire" — swept through a large area of Lake County, California (as well as parts of Napa County and Sonoma County), with extraordinary speed, burning virtually everything in its path, before more than four thousand firefighters finally succeeded in containing it.

The Valley Fire in Northern California (September 17, 2015) The Valley Fire in Northern California (September 17, 2015) (click image to enlarge)

The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary is located in Seigler Springs, and was surrounded by the Valley Fire in every direction:

The Valley Fire in Northern California: Seigler Springs (September 17, 2015) The Valley Fire in Northern California: Seigler Springs (September 17, 2015) (click image to enlarge)

Miraculously, the Sanctuary was spared the worst — the core temples, archives, residences, and structures were untouched by fire damage. This was thanks to the combination of Adi Da's Grace (which had actively and miraculously prevented a previous fire in 1979 from encroaching upon the Sanctuary), a vigorous forestry management program (that had been engaged in "clear brush" practices for nearly a decade before the fire, aimed at reducing the threat of fire); the help of CalFire firefighters; and the heroic actions of a small group of devotees who protected the core of the Sanctuary from a ferocious onslaught of fire from all sides, and who tirelessly put out numerous spot fires that started on the Sanctuary.

Sanctuary in the midst of devastation Sanctuary in the midst of devastation — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

Even though the Sanctuary core survived unscathed, several outlying buildings and holy sites were completely destroyed by the fire. (These include Quiet Dogs, Lithia Springs, Second People, and Third People.) Also, significant damage to sanctuary infrastructure (notably: the water and sewer systems) occurred, and many acres of Sanctuary forest and brush lands burned completely or in part. The homes of 140 devotees living near the Sanctuary were also lost to the fire. One devotee (Rob Litchman) lost his life in the fire (as best as we can tell — no remains were ever found).

Sections 2 and 3 of this presentation are photo and video galleries that graphically illustrate the encroachment of the Valley Fire on the Sanctuary, and some of the impact of the fire.

2. To learn more or to help

For those wanting to learn more or wanting to help, here are a couple of key resources:

3. During the Fire

click images to enlarge

The fire's approach in the valley The fire's approach in the valley — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The fire's approach just across Loch Lomond Road from the Sanctuary The fire's approach just across Loch Lomond Road from the Sanctuary — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Flames from Shenandoah Circle descended down the hillside toward the Sanctuary (the cabin is the nearest to the road in the Circle), but were stopped at Loch Lomond Road Flames from Shenandoah Circle descended down the hillside toward the Sanctuary (the cabin is the nearest to the road in the Circle), but were stopped at Loch Lomond Road — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Devotee William Gilgallon keeping the fire from crossing the road Devotee William Gilgallon keeping the fire from crossing the road — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Devotee William Gilgallon keeping the fire from crossing the road Devotee William Gilgallon keeping the fire from crossing the road — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The fire ascended the hill below the Manner of Flowers and Land Bridge Pavilion, but was stopped before it could proceed further The fire ascended the hill below the Manner of Flowers and Land Bridge Pavilion, but was stopped before it could proceed further — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Barn greenhouse below Pile of Poles Barn greenhouse below Pile of Poles — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Spot fires came very close to the Sanctuary core (in this picture: the garden shed next to Bright Behind Me), but were effectively dealt with by heroic service by a group of devotee men who stayed to fight the fire, along with the help of CalFire firefighters. Spot fires came very close to the Sanctuary core (in this picture: the garden shed next to Bright Behind Me), but were effectively dealt with by the heroic service of a group of devotee men who stayed to fight the fire, along with the help of CalFire firefighters — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The fire in Sacred Camel Gardens The fire in Sacred Camel Gardens— September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The fire in Sacred Camel Gardens The fire in Sacred Camel Gardens. The camels escaped unharmed. — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Fire on the hill beyond Ordeal Bath Lodge Fire on the hill beyond Ordeal Bath Lodge — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Fire across the creek from Earth Fire Temple Fire across the creek from Earth Fire Temple — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Fire behind Pita Mata Mantapa Fire behind Pita Mata Mantapa — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

4. After the Fire

I mean, what if you slept and dreamt that your house burn down and everything was destroyed. Then you woke up and you realized that you had been dreaming, and you were totally relieved. But as it happens, while you were dreaming and sleeping, your house actually did burn down, totally independent of your dreaming of it. And you have lost everything. That is where you are. You are in that kind of place. You want to feel hunky-dory about things. But what is hunky-dory about this? You know? Avatar Adi Da Samraj "The Message of Reality", December 30, 1998

click images to enlarge

The ashes of the fire behind Pita Mata Mantapa The ashes of the fire behind Pita Mata Mantapa — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The hillside behind Holy Cat Grotto, which leads out to Red Sitting Man, was burnt quite badly. Small scars of spot fires can be seen also in the foreground, which were effectively put out. The hillside behind Holy Cat Grotto, which leads out to Red Sitting Man, was burnt quite badly. Small scars of spot fires can be seen also in the foreground, which were effectively put out. — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The view from the back of the Manner of Flowers, looking across the road to where Quiet Dogs once stood The view from the back of the Manner of Flowers, looking across the road to where Quiet Dogs once stood — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Where Quiet Dogs once stood Where Quiet Dogs once stood — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The security shed behind the Manner of Flowers. The fire was stopped before it could completely burn the shed. The security shed behind the Manner of Flowers. The fire was stopped before it could completely burn the shed. — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

A few of the devotee men who worked around the clock to protect the sacred sites at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary. Left to right: Walter Muszynski, Dennis Leroy Stilwell and ? A few of the devotee men who worked around the clock to protect the sacred sites at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary. Left to right: Walter Muszynski, Dennis Leroy Stilwell and ? — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

The kitchen at First People was preserved, even though the fire came extremely close to it The kitchen at First People was preserved, even though the fire came extremely close to it — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Behind First People: the remains of Second People Behind First People: the remains of Second People — September 12-14, 2015. (© ASA)

Camels in the decimated Sacred Camel Gardens Camels in the decimated Sacred Camel Gardens (© ASA)

Camels in the decimated Sacred Camel Gardens Camels in the decimated Sacred Camel Gardens (© Teresa Lynne)

The decimated Sacred Camel Gardens The decimated Sacred Camel Gardens (© ASA)

Sacred Camel Gardens on KRON TV, WHYY-FM radio, in many newspapers, and on many news sites Sacred Camel Gardens on KRON TV, WHYY-FM radio, in many newspapers, and on many news sites, including The New York Times, The Discovery Channel, The Press Democrat, and The Sacramento Bee. (© ASA)

Aria Simpson and her mother, Teresa Fogolini of Bodega Bay, took it upon themselves to help save 18 camels stranded at Sacred Camel Gardens, a spiritual retreat near Middletown, by setting up an online donations site that has collected $15,000 to feed the animals. During the fire, several devotees guided the camels from one safe area to another as flames devoured a feed barn, fencing and the landscape around them. "I can't put it into words," Camps said. "I'm just feeling deep gratitude and thinking of everyone who risked their lives to save them." "New Wildfire in Northern California Destroys Homes" The New York Times, September 20, 2015

Devotee comforts one of the 18 Bactrian camels that survived the fire. Devotee comforts one of the 18 Bactrian camels that survived the fire. (© ASA)

Burnt hills below The Manner Of Flowers at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Burnt hills below The Manner Of Flowers at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

Where the fire stopped behind The Pile Of Poles at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Where the fire stopped behind The Pile Of Poles at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

Below The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Below The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

Looking up to The Manner Of Flowers at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary from Loch Lomond Road Looking up to The Manner Of Flowers at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary from Loch Lomond Road — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

Empty extinguishers used to fight the fire at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Empty extinguishers used to fight the fire at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

Devotee support team arrives at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary and receives orientation from devotee David Johnson Devotee support team arrives at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary and receives orientation from devotee David Johnson — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

Danya Parkinson working to get the generator and power supply to The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary functional again Danya Parkinson working to get the generator and power supply to The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary functional again — September 14, 2015. (© ASA)

View of Land Bridge Pavilion (center) and Pile Of Poles (right) at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary View of Land Bridge Pavilion (center) & Pile Of Poles (right) at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

View of where Quiet Dogs was (left), Loch Lomond Road (left to center), Land Bridge Pavilion (right) and Pile Of Poles (right) at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary View of where Quiet Dogs was (left), Loch Lomond Road (left to center), Land Bridge Pavilion (right) and Pile Of Poles (right) at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

View from Loch Lomond Road of the meadow up to the back of Pile Of Poles View from Loch Lomond Road of the meadow up to the back of Pile Of Poles — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

Entrance to The Sea Of Blankets and Mother's Bed at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Entrance to The Sea Of Blankets and Mother's Bed at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

Devotees Neem Wood, Christopher Casey and Larry Rugoff taking down trees to fortify perimeter protection at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Devotees Neem Wood, Christopher Casey and Larry Rugoff taking down trees to fortify perimeter protection at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

The Man Of Radical Understanding Lake The Man Of Radical Understanding Lake (© ASA)

A CalFire helicopter transporting water from The Man Of Radical Understanding Lake to the still persisting fire in the canyon below Ridge Road, Black Oak Road and Forest Oaks Drive A CalFire helicopter transporting water from The Man Of Radical Understanding Lake to the still persisting fire in the canyon below Ridge Road, Black Oak Road and Forest Oaks Drive — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

A CalFire helicopter transporting water from The Man Of Radical Understanding Lake to the still persisting fire in the canyon below Ridge Road, Black Oak Road and Forest Oaks Drive A CalFire helicopter transporting water from The Man Of Radical Understanding Lake to the still persisting fire in the canyon below Ridge Road, Black Oak Road and Forest Oaks Drive — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

First Room Theater Site at The Man Of Radical Understanding First Room Theater Site at The Man Of Radical Understanding (© ASA)

Fire truck in front of Plain Talk Chapel at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Fire truck in front of Plain Talk Chapel at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

A fireman stands before Adi Da's art work, "A Horse Appears In The Wild Is Always Already The Case" (from Spectra Two, 2006), displayed on the outside wall of Plain Talk Chapel A fireman stands before Adi Da's art work, "A Horse Appears In The Wild Is Always Already The Case" (from Spectra Two, 2006), displayed on the outside wall of Plain Talk Chapel — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

Firefighters in front of Plain Talk Chapel at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary Firefighters in front of Plain Talk Chapel at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary — September 15, 2015. (© ASA)

We mentioned earlier how many devotees living near The Mountain Of Attention lost their homes. Here is just one story, Community Works: Helping the Henrys — appearing in the Martha's Vineyard Times, December 30, 2015 — that gives you some sense for what that loss was like (for Terry Henry and Elaine Lombard), as well as the beginning of the recovery process after the fire.

Before the fire Before the fire

After the fire After the fire

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