Rigdzin Ling Trinity Alps Fire Update

As most people know, California has been dealing with several wildfires. One in particular is of personal concern for me.

The North American seat of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Rigdzin Ling, is in the Trinity Alps where there's a few fires burning.

Candy has been giving all of the affiliated centers regular updates including some photos which I will share in this blog. I think that it is important to share these images and story so I hope that Candy will approve. I am sure she has more on her mind than dealing with an email from me asking if it's ok.

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July 21, 2008

Dear sangha,

We awoke this morning to a crystal blue sky and no wind, very favorable conditions for this fire at the moment on our side of the ridge, allowing it to slowly move down the mountain. The fire fighters have bull dozed and cut a tapestry of fire breaks on our hill that encircles the Gonpa like a protection circle, and their hope is that the fire burns down to these breaks, leaving all structures intact and removing the fire fuel from the forest floor. The fire gently encircled one small cabin that was above the line and left it intact. Some of our staff was up there in the night and when they looked into the structure, they found a note that said something like, "We've done all we can. God bless."

I watched a fire crew from Montana walk up our hill a couple of hours ago, all in a perfectly straight line, dressed in bright yellow, wearing hardhats and carrying shovels, maddocks, and other tools. It would not have surprised me to hear, "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work we go." resounding in the air as they marched through the forest. It was quite a vision. I found this same group of fire men and women gathered in front of the prayer wheels last night at the end of a long day, wanting their pictures taken, so we obliged.

The helicopter that was flying yesterday has transmission problems we hear and is grounded at the moment which is quite unfortunate, as the fire the other side of the ridge from us is more active. I've been told that the turnaround time for this helicopter from one load of water to the next load of water was two minutes. They call that "cowboy flying." It was quite stunning to see.

I have included a few photos again and have sent them in a smaller file which might be easier to access. You can enlarge them on your end. It will help give a visual context of what we are seeing from the Gonpa.

These next days are quite crucial. They are not going to be so relaxed with people coming and going out of the area now. Please continue to pray for all the people and animals in Junction City and the neighboring forest.

Love,

Candy