In the fall of 2020, Oregon, and especially the Willamette Valley experienced some of the worst wildfires in recorded history. We watched as the skies downwind of the million+ acre fires turned red, and darkened the sun even at noon. Our air quality was so bad, that it was hazardous to go outside for over 10 days. As our forests burned, communities lost their homes, livelihoods and lives because of lack of warning and scary conditions.

I led a foray for the Willamette Valley Mushroom Society to a wilderness burn area to look for Morels and other burn fungi. Everyone backed out at the last minute except for Leigh and Bob, some new members to our group. We walked with them for a few hours along the slopes of the ashy mountain seeking some green oasis patches that would hold enough moisture to promote the growth of fungi.