How God Kept the Goodwin Fire From Burning Our Home
Fire, an evacuation, escaping out a back way and the miraculous hand of God. All these things happened in the last few days.
It all started Saturday afternoon around 4pm. A fire began in Pine Flats, Arizona about 7 miles from our house. That evening we could see some smoke.
On Monday it looked like this from the front of our house.
There was quite a bit of activity in the skies as helicopters and airplanes flew overhead to release water and slurry on the fire that was a few mountain ranges over.
We continued to watch the smoke and at times it seemed as if it was coming closer but because there are mountain ranges around us, it was hard to tell exactly how far away it was and the information on the web was not being updated consistently. It was on Tuesday that we began to really wonder if this fire would cause a problem for us because it seemed as if we could see the smoke furling up in the air just on the other side of the mountain.
Taken at 9:25am.
In the middle of all this we were preparing for a cross-country trip we take every year to a youth camp. Our kids had started to pack for that already which was a good thing.
Just that morning (Tuesday, June 27) I had signed up for Code Red Alerts on both mine and my husband’s phone. We received a phone call with a pre-recorded message for a pre-evacuation notice. The kids were told to finish packing so that things would be ready in case we did have to go. About an hour later we received another call saying we had a mandatory evacuation. At that point we really began to hustle.
About a half-hour after the mandatory evacuation phone call, the fire department and Sheriff came to tell us we were under a mandatory evacuation. Of course as property owners they cannot force you to leave but naturally they encourage it.
Taken about 10:40am.
The firemen walked around the perimeter of our house moving anything that was flammable and putting it into the center of our yard.
Clothes were packed as well as some precious belongings. What do you grab when you have only a short time? My kids got their special boxes in which I’ve put things that were special to them since they were young. I took special quilts, our wedding pictures and a few mementos. Our computers were taken on which I have thousands of pictures and my husband has his business records. Birth Certificates, passports, and SSN cards were grabbed.
But so many things had to be left behind.
Taken at 11:52am.
Around 1:00pm.
Taken at 2:02pm.
Taken at 2:20pm.
Taken at 2:24pm.
When the flames came over the ridge to the east of our house, my husband said I had to go. If the fire came too fast and crossed our road I would not be able to leave. I left the house with a Suburban full and pulling a trailer with some of our belongings. Serenity was behind me with the other 2 kids (Justus & Audrey). Justus was riding in the back of the truck with 2 pigs and a dog and wearing a floppy brimmed hat. The wind was catching the rim of the hat and lifting it and you could see his head looking out just over the top of the truck. My hair was one of those hair-do’s that really should have been, “Don’t let anyone see me like this,” days but here we were passing forest service officials, fire crews and police officers as they waited at the bottom of our road. I’m sure we looked qui te a sight. I’m sure we looked like hicks emerging from the hills. 😀
It was a strange moment in time for me driving out not knowing if we would be coming back to our home or not. Russell and my son Wesley stayed behind and worked at creating more defensive space and doing anything else they thought would help keep the fire from our place.
Taken at 2:40pm after I reached the highway.
These are updates I posted on Facebook.
Update #1 – June 27 @ 5:37pm
Update from Russell who is still at the house. Unless the Lord changes the direction we are right in the path of the fire. He will have to leave because of the smoke. He can hear the wind of the fire now and just saw the fire create a little tornado. Don’t worry. He will get out and not try to play hero. He just wants to do all he can before he leaves.
There are over 500 firefighters on the fire, there is a Level I team on the job of which there are only 5 in the nation. 6- 737’s are on their way from Sacramento to join in the efforts.
They have evacuated a nearby town and all of their efforts are focused on where the most people are. Nothing has been done yet to help us save our home but maybe later they will put slurry on our house. Your prayers are appreciated. God is mindful no matter the outcome.
Update #2 June 27 @ 7:03pm
They’re slurry bombing the perimeter of our house and yard.
Update #3 June @ 9:45pm
The winds have died down but the fire has now crossed the road where we used to turn to get to our house and is about 1000 yards from the house.
Update #4 June 28 @ 12:15am
It’s 12:15am and our house is still standing! The fire has actually taken an easterly path right now away from our home but Wednesday the winds are supposed to be strong and going north/northwest. Not good for us as far as that goes but with so many praying all things are possible. We serve a miracle working God.
Psalms 86:10 “For thou art great, and doesn’t wondrous things: thou art God alone.”
Update #5 June 28 @ 3:45am
3:45am Just talked to Russell who is still at the house with Wesley. The wind has changed and is now starting to sweep across the valley in front of our home and moving fast. They are wetting down the buildings and then they are leaving. (They are leaving out a back way on a quad.) He said the flames are about 60′ tall and that it will be a miracle if everything is not burnt to the ground.
Update # 6 June 28 @ 6:13am
Thank the Lord, Russell and Wesley are safely out.
Us girls are sitting on a high point 5 miles away watching our beloved valley being engulfed by smoke.
A terrible picture but all that smoke is caused by our valley. Our house is just over that small hill on the bottom left. We also have seen glimpses of flames.
We still give God praise for His goodness to us!
Update #7 June 28 @ 10:10am
Praise the Lord! Our home is still standing as well as the cabin!!! We have a friend that is on a mountain top and who sent us a pic. (he may be working the fire, I’m not sure)
Update #8 June 28 @ 8:51pm
I’m not sure exactly how it will be done but Russell was interviewed by Fox 10 news and we heard it will be played at 9 and 10 pm tonight if any of you are interested in watching.
(Here was the interview.) Goodwin Fire at the Wallace Ranch
Update #9 June 28 @ 9:32pm
Russell was able to talk the Sheriff into letting him drive back to our property. He was wanting to ascertain whether there was damage to our electrical system (we’re completely off-grid) as well as to see if the well electronics had survived the fire. Both are still working, thank the Lord.
I have no photos to share tonight but the description Russell paints of the land is pretty desolate.
When you cross the creek at the bottom of the road all of the cottonwoods are gone or mostly charred and then after that most of the terrain is rocks and ashes without a stick remaining.
But here is the part you all need to hear because everyone of you that prayed had a part in this…. the fire split on both sides of our house AND on both sides of the cabin. Just what people were praying would happen!
The backyard looks completely the same, you would never know fire had been a threat but looking out the front window the valley is a complete wasteland.
Update #10 June 29 @ 10:59am
We were all able to get to our house a little while ago. I felt weak seeing all the devastation in our area but then once I saw our home and the amazing evidence of God’s miraculous intervention, I couldn’t stop crying. Absolutely incredible what God did for all of us. Our family and for you as well – so we all could be witnesses that He still is the master of everything – even the elements, that He’s never changed and that He is mindful of our every situation.
We can’t express our thanks enough to the body of Christ for your love, concern and prayers. Every comment was read and they all meant so much – “He’s the 4th man in the fire,” “May angels encamp around your property,” “May He fan the flames away,” “He can part the fire like He did the Red Sea”. Oh my, we are so blessed to be in this big family of God!
The whole landscape has changed but it is still our little valley that we’ve been blessed to live in for the last 21 years even though it will always be different. It will have another kind of beauty. In Arizona you learn to love landscapes that a lot might not think was so beautiful. 
😉
I’ll post more pics in an album here on FB but here is one picture that shows how the fire left a green strip on both sides of our house and to the right of the picture you can see the cabin and how close fire came to it.
There’s still a lot of smoke in the air which is reflected in the pictures. The house has the smell of smoke but not too bad. I think with a little airing out it will be fine.
And if you should see us and smell a bit of smoke on our clothes, maybe it will be a reminder of God’s Providence. 
🙂
Great things He has done!
Here is a video that my son put together using clips that Wesley took the night he stayed behind at the ranch.
Wallace Ranch Fire, Grapevine Canyon & Valley (Goodwin Fire)
Next post I will share some of the devastation caused by the fire and some photos showing what it all looked like before the fire.
It’s been such an incredible experience knowing and seeing God’s mighty hand at work. I feel humbled that our Lord would do this great thing for us. It was also so amazing and precious to see fellow believers from all over coming together in unity believing for God to do a mighty miracle.
To God be the glory for the great things He has done.
5 Comments
Rachel Shull
Elisabeth, I want to join you in praising our Lord for sparing your homestead… you all have done an amazing amount of work to make it what it is today ~ beautiful. And such a blessing to Believers from all over the world through your gracious hospitality. We are so thankful everything is intact. We were praying too ! God bless you all!
Elisabeth
It was a blessing to know there were people praying everywhere. God was so merciful and I know it’s because He heard the sincere prayers of His children. Thank you.
Courtney
Praise the Lord for His Protection and blessing upon you and your family! I was so relieved and blessed to hear that your home was preserved!!
Chris Williams
I thank the Lord along with you. When I was praying, I thought about how you and your family probably use your home more than anyone else in the country, to bless other believers. We have also been recipients of that kindness. God bless you and Russell richly (and all your family)
Mary
Those first pictures seeing the progress were amazing! God is so faithful and we are so thankful for the miracle that took place for you and others to behold!