Fire on the Mountain: Living with Wildfire in the Santa Lucia Mountains of Big Sur

While many skillful locals have succeeded in finding ways to survive and flourish in this challenging mountain landscape, Theo has done it by being a true steward of the land. I am reminded of this every time I receive jars of his honey, olives, and olive oil, or fresh fruit from his orchard, or a delivery of madrone firewood for heating my home.

When I first heard about Theo's heroic efforts during the Soberanes fire of 2016, I felt simultaneously in awe at the struggles he had to endure, yet unsurprised to find out he was well-prepared. His fire-resistant infrastructure, massive rainwater storage system, years of firefighting experience, and nurturing connections to the land and his neighbors were all in anticipation of such an event.

It's not a question of 'if' the wildfire arrives, it's a question of 'when.' This book demonstrates that the foresight of knowing the inevitability of wildfire is essential for one's survival in the forests of Big Sur and beyond.

- From the Foreword by Lee Klinger