Battle for Tassajara: The Five Who Remain
Update -- the Monterey County Herald reports,
Fire officials say they expect the flames from the Basin Complex Fire to reach the grounds of the Tassajara Zen Center some time today.* * *Eric Neitzel, fire information officer, said the fire is just north of the center and approaching the property line.
Here's a bit more information about the effort to save Tassajara Zen Mountain Center from wildfires. As I wrote this morning, five monks remain at Tassajara to keep the sprinkler system going. According to the San Francisco Zen Center, the five are Abbot Steve Stucky, Director David Zimmerman, Mako Voelkel, Graham Ross and Colin Gipson. All five are Zen Center priests and among the most senior residents of Tassajara.
My understanding is that fire has crossed the road to the monastery, and these five are now cut off from escape. Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts.
Ret. Capt. Mike writes at the Firefighter Blog that "It seems apparent the fire will visit Tassajara," but adds,The monks and other residents have cooperated fully with fire representatives and have prepared the grounds carefully, even under supervision to an extent. The Center serves as a spiritual center for many. The occupants are decent guardians of the land and need help.From the looks of the image below there seems to be adequate escape zones. The fire survived the Marble-Cone Fire and personal accounts recall those on the ground did have adequate safety/escape zones. To what extent the grounds have been improved now I can't say but the property doesn't look like anything that can't be defended with a few engines, a hand crew or two and some air support.
Comments
I just read about this in the local paper: “The Californian” and thought I’d check your site to see what updates you have.
I’m sure everythng possible is being done. It’s been so smoky in N_CA. I’ve been in Sacrametno all month and there are numerous fires burning here as well. Yesterday smoky haze hung in the streets.My son called last week and told me they could see the hills burning from our house. I can’t help but wonder how my in-laws and oldtime neighbors in the hills are faring.
If you are unfamiliar with Tassajara Hot Springs terrain, a creek flows through the setting and down to Arroyo Seca. It is still early in the year, though Since May every thing has been dry and crispy like late August and September when we usually have fire. With little rain fall this year, I have no idea if the creek is still flowing, Usually this time of year it would be wide enough and deep enough in the gorge to offer a little protection. The steam rooms and some of the baths, as I recall, seemed very cave like and cut from the hillsides and might offer some protection from flames, should the situation arise. If you can imagine being in a steam room or hot tub with flames all around {{nervous shaky laughter}}. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Hopefully they will be able to backfire and protect the grounds that way. It’s such a beautiful serene setting.
The upside is its been 30 years since the Marble Cone Fire, and getting time to renovate older structures. But it sure is alot nicer to plan such events then have no choice in the matter.
Curious Barbara, about your request for prayers, didn’t you have in your site somewhere that whether or not God exists simply doesn’t matter to a Buddhist? Seems God matters most when we are out of options. Tassajara has my innermost heartfelt prayers and well wishes.
It’s amazing