Book recounts Cache Mountain fire

Jean Nave has captured for history the tense days of last summer when the Cache Mountain fire swept down and took two homes at Black Butte Ranch.

Her book, "Wildfire Hits Black Butte Ranch," is due out Friday, October 25.

Familiar names abound as the events of that last week of July are recounted: Fred Fost, fire lookout, photographer and BBR resident; Dale Larsen, BBR Maintenance Manager; BBR Fire Chief Ed Sherrell and all his brave firefighters; Loy Helmly, BBR Manager; Bill Burkart, BBR Fire Board Chairman; BBR Police Chief Gil Zaccaro and his entire staff; and all the emergency personnel who so gallantly fought the fire.

"Once we started reading her book, neither Anne nor I could set it down," said BBR resident Ed Denniston.

Nave relates the people involved in losing Golf Homes 96 and 97, the Hiatt and Heyworth families.

Firefighters made a heroic stand to prevent the loss of more homes to the raging inferno.

"This fire will go down in history as probably the most significant happening in reference to wildland fires at BBR. "Our fire students and firefighters made a stop that couldn't be done," said Chief Sherrell.

Jean Nave, a resident of BBR, in 18 chapters has eloquently captured this fire event through extensive interviews with the people involved. Local photographers provided unforgettable visual documentation.

"Wildfire Hits Black Butte Ranch" will be available this week at Paulina Springs Book Company in Sisters or from the BBR Historical Society, P.O. Box 8257, BBR, OR 97759. The cost is $14.95.

The BBR Historical Society and the BBR Fire Protection District sponsored this book. A portion of the profits will go to each organization.