An all too common attitude with people is that rules only apply to other people. 5 years ago the mountains were very dry and fire restrictions were everywhere. It would be nearly impossible not to know that you could not have a campfire. Yet, two campers decided the rules did not apply to them. After their morning campfire, they left their site for a hike, the wind whipped up and blew embers from their fire and ignited the largest wildfire in Arizona's history. Over 538,000 acres of forest and wilderness areas were torched, with a cost of $79 million dollars to contain and a loss of homes, barns, and other structures. 21 homes were lost in Greer as well as other structures. Zella and I walked among some of the ruins recently. Some home owners have rebuilt, but other sites contain only the remnants of a stone fireplace or flagstone patio. At the end of East Fork Road is an old church camp, built in the 1920's, that welcomed summer campers, and hosted church retreats and family reunions. I spent some summer days there as a camp counselor, and winter days with a college young adult group playing in the snow. I saw my first bears early one morning as they headed up from raiding the trash at the mess hall. I sang around the campfire and listened to stories. It's heartbreaking that this place stands empty, surrounded by sandbags, concrete barriers, burned trees, and silence.Tragedy can occur when you decide that the rules don't apply to you.
