Letter to the Times

July 28 2002

The pools at Deep Creek offer more than a cool dip on a hot day ("Not Everyone Gets Into Deep Creek's Pools," July 20). In August 1999, my son and a friend were camping at the pools when they became trapped by the rapidly burning Willow fire that blazed south through the mountains. Having no escape, they jumped into a pool and, with just their heads above water, managed to breathe through soaked towels as the fire raced past them.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/la-le-mirell28.3jul28.story

The two people who were stuck were Van Wiggington, his dogs and Mike Degoia. They miraculously survived the Willow Fire together.

http://www.deepcreekhotsprings.org/fire.html

It is sad when people who have experienced many things together for numerous years find themselves at odds.

If Deep Creek were truly a uniting treasure all else would fall by the wayside.