Redwood Complex (Redwood Fire and Potter Fire)
http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1874
2 Likes
Google shows the fires are very close to the monastery
2 Likes
I’ve just heard the fires are within a mile of the monastery if not closer 
1 Like
From their website…
Update 8 pm October 10:
A neighbor reported that the monastery buildings were OK as of the afternoon of Oct. 9. The fire is still active, and we don’t know the state of the buildings after that time. It is unsafe to travel on Tomki Road, and there are hard closures approaching the monastery from both directions. We plan to update the website as we hear more information.8 pm October 9:
You have likely heard about the fires in Northern California. We want to let you know that the Abhayagiri community is safe. We don’t know what will happen with Kathina this Sunday. Please check this website for announcements before visiting Abhayagiri.
3 Likes
California fires: At least 21 dead as hundreds reported missing
1 Like
Some more info here:
2 Likes
Abhayagiri Residents Safe at CTTB
We want to let everybody know that the Abhayagiri community is safe and is currently staying at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
As of Thursday, 10am, the Abhayagiri property is most likely not damaged but conditions are volatile and are there is no access to the property.
We are asking that people not to come visit us at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to leave roads, hotels, and services available to others who have evacuated.
We will be posting updates on our condition at least once a day for the foreseeable future.
The following photo was taken at around 9am this morning.
In addition, we will have more information today, Thursday, at around 6pm PST. Please check back then.
https://www.abhayagiri.org/news/212-abhayagiri-residents-safe-at-cttb
8 Likes
From the mailing list…
Friends,
With the monks now safe and settled in at City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, they are able to easily update the website (www.abhayagiri.org) with “official” news. In order to stay aware of what is happening related to the wildfire, the monastery community, and the Kathina Ceremony, please visit the website for the latest news.
It is best to refrain from sending emails, text messages, or phoning the monks and Debbie. They are very grateful for your care and concern, but they cannot respond to each of the many, many questions, well-wishes, and offers of help that they are receiving. They ask that you turn to the website for important information.
Kind regards,
Dennis Crean
8 Likes
‘That could be my death’: Monks face flames at California monastery
7 Likes
If one compares the location of the monastery here (click “-” a couple of times to zoom-out to be able to see hwy 20 intersecting hwy 101):
with this map showing extent of fire (shift/drag a couple of screen-fulls up, to see where hwy 20, from the West, intersects hwy 101 to align roughly matching that in the above map):
http://google.org/crisismap/google.com/2017-tubbs-fire
To help align, note the town “Ridge” on hwy 101, couple of miles south of the hwy 20 - hwy 101 interesection.
it don’t look good… time for some aprotropaic chanting.
3 Likes
With bushfires you just don’t know what will be left behind. The street I grew up in in the Blue Mountains (Aus) was hit severely a few years ago and looking at google street view some houses were destroyed while others still stand. Our friend’s house was fine while the houses either side of them were destroyed.
3 Likes
From http://www.abhayagiri.org/news/ :
Fire Update, October 12, 2017
As many people are aware, Redwood Valley and nearby Potter Valley are experiencing a large wildfire also known as the “the Redwood Complex Fire.” The fire started late Sunday night on October 8, 2017. As of Thursday afternoon, the fire has spread to an area of over 30,000 acres and only 5% of has been contained.
The monastery residents became aware of the fire around 2am Monday morning. The fire was visible to residents just over the neighboring ridge and the community organized an evacuation shortly thereafter. The community, along with many people in the neighborhood, were able to safely make their way to a shelter in Willits later in the morning. From there, the community spent the night at the Three Jewels Meditation Center in Fort Bragg. Communication during this time was either non-existent or spotty as most communication lines and cell phones were non-operational.
When the fire broke out, Luang Por Pasanno was away attending the Kathina at Temple Forest Monastery in New Hampshire. He became aware of the fire only after people started messaging him after hearing reports about the fire in the news. Dharma Master Heng Lyu later communicated with Luang Por Pasanno and extended an invitation to the evacuted Abhayagiri community to stay at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah. The community accepted the offer and made their way to City of Ten Thousand Buddhas Tuesday afternoon where they are now as of Thursday afternoon.
Current reports from fire authorities suggest that the main monastery buildings are okay but conditions are highly volatile and the situation can change very quickly. According to the officials, there will be low relative humidity and high wind speeds over the next couple days.
Officials are not allowing anybody back into the area, including the monastery, at this time.
We also would like to echo what fire officials have told us: satellite maps often do not reflect what is actually going on the ground. We realize there are many sources of information that provide detailed accounts of fire or damage coverage, including those from official sources like CalFire, but they often can lead to misapprehensions and misunderstandings.
We are asking that people not travel to Ukiah or visit us at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas at this time. The area is heavily impacted as many people are without homes due to the fire evacuations.
4 Likes
Venerable @Niyyanika, could you also send us an update on your situation in Dhammadharini?
We at Mahapajapati will chant for Abhayagiri and Dhammadharini and it’s residents.
5 Likes
We at Dhammadharini remain well. The fire is not all out as far as we know, but the air quality is improving. As of yesterday, Abhayagiri was still in close danger, although again, all people are well. The Thai hermitage near Abhayagiri, I heard, was burnt.
7 Likes
Thank you so much for your update Venerable. I’m sorry to hear about the Thai hermitage.
4 Likes
It seems that all the Theravada temples in Santa Rosa Area (Bhikkhu - Cambodian, Thai, Lao) (Bhikkhuni - Dhammadharini) were also spared in the fire. News that the Cambodian temple burnt was in error.
5 Likes
That’s very sad to hear. We will chant for them also, as well as the Thai Vihara.
3 Likes
California wildfires threaten Buddhist centers and monasteries
Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery were both threatened by the wildfires, but now seem to be safe from major harm.
6 Likes
A long journal entry from Ajahn Jotipalo appears on the Abhyagiri website. The news that the monastery car park is being used as a staging point sounds promising for the community.
It is indeed sad to hear about the Cambodian and Thai hermitages and all the property and lives lost in the area.
https://www.abhayagiri.org/news/214-redwood-complex-fire-timeline-of-events-monday-through-thursday
6 Likes
Sounds like the monastery made it!
Just before the Kathina Ceremony started, Luang Por Pasanno shared some positive news that the major buildings on the Abhayagiri property were not damaged. In addition, during the Sunday evening’s county press conference, officials were confident that the properties along Tomki road, including the Abhayagiri property, would be reopened for residents and owners very soon.
https://www.abhayagiri.org/news/219-fire-update-october-15-2017
8 Likes