“I see myself as a town crier of sorts. I want to share what I know, but more importantly I want people to listen and to change how they treat our forests.” --Jim Paxon

 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Arters Public Relations / 480-893-3748

“The Story of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire” told by Jim Paxon, “The Fire Guy”, in new Book

June 18th marks five-year anniversary of worst wildfire in State’s history
Paxon was calm, straight-talking face and voice to worldwide audience

SHOW LOW, AZ, (June 6, 2007) – Wildfires this spring have already ravaged areas of California and Florida as the state of Arizona looks toward the fifth anniversary of the most destructive wildfire in its history, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. That fire burned from June 18 to September 7, 2002 (It was contained on 7-7-02, yet continued to put forth huge columns of smoke.), ravaged 468,000 acres and caused the evacuation of 12 mountain communities, including the entire town of Show Low.

Jim Paxon served as the Lead Information Officer for the United States Forest Service throughout that firefight. He has released a self-published book, “The Monster Reared His Ugly Head; The Story of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire and Fire as a Tool of Nature” which provides Paxon’s inside perspective on the fire and the battle to contain it.

To develop this account, Paxon scoured endless records and interviewed more than 67 of those individuals directly involved including firefighters, evacuees and government officials. The story is brought to life by nearly 300 photos, many taken by firefighters battling on the front line.

While the focus of the book is the Rodeo-Chediski fire, Paxon provides insights into the history and necessity of fire. His intention is to create a better understanding of fire as a requirement in the natural order, and to teach people how to live harmoniously in the wildlands where Mother Nature uses fire to maintain the forests.

“Fire is neither good nor bad. Fire is natural,” says Paxon. “Fire is not the problem. The problem is the build up of fuels, both live and dead, that are choking our wildlands and forest communities.”

Paxon spent more than 30 years as a firefighter, much of that with the Forest Service. In June 2002, he stepped into the world’s spotlight as the primary spokesperson for the Rodeo-Chediski firefight. As media crews from throughout the globe converged on Arizona to cover the story, Paxon gained notoriety and trust for his straight talk and illustrative descriptions of the fire and the operation. He became known as “The Fire Guy”, a name that sticks with him today, and his comments were dubbed as “Paxisms” by the press covering the fire.

Since retiring from the Forest Service, Paxon has been dedicated to helping mountain communities live harmoniously with nature to eliminate the severity of inevitable fires.

According to Paxon “there are only two kinds of forest communities – those that have had a fire and those that are going to. In 2002, we woke the dragon and he fed on the Arizona forests. This story must be told, because it’s only a matter of time before the dragon stirs again.”

For more information about Paxon, his book “The Monster Reared His Ugly Head…” and/or to purchase the book, visit his website at www.paxonthefireguy.com.

The book can also be purchased at Changing Hands Book Store in Tempe; Bison Homes-Buffalo Museum of America in Scottsdale; D&D Furniture, Show Low Museum, Coffee Mania, Torreon Golf Club, Bison Golf & Country Club, and Book Barn in Show Low; Pinetop Office & Art Supply, Burly Bear, and Urban Ranch in Pinetop; Bookworm in Pinetop-Lakeside; Mama Bear’s Lodge in Lakeside; Ronna’s Boutique in Overgaard; Book Bank in Miami; and Stuart Books in Springerville.

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