The People Not the Fire: Stories of Resilience

Revised Edition! Includes contributing Author Index.

In August 2020, while the CZU Lightning Fire raged and people were scattered in evacuation, a social media group began. Our purpose was to create a safe place for the people of Boulder Creek to share their stories. The final goal is to publish a book where 100% of the royalties benefit the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department. This book, priced to raise funds, is now available on Amazon in paperback and hardcover.

Throughout the world, global warming and natural disasters are accelerating. There is a common experience, a community connection that emerges from these situations. The relevance of this book reaches far beyond a small mountain town on the central California coast, where a wildfire raged for more than a month. The stories here speak to what can happen when people value, support, and cooperate with one another. They learned what to do, or not do, when facing unexpected devastation, extending tolerance and compassion to strengthen connections.

In the pages of this book, many of those who lived through the CZU Lightning Fire chose to face the pain of reliving terrifying moments and, candidly tell their stories. They did this courageous act to heal themselves, and each other, and to support the volunteer fire department that tirelessly worked to save their lives and homes.

This is an insider's view of what it takes to live through a devastating natural disaster, told through heartfelt narratives against a counterpoint of compelling photographs.