Wine Down Ranch

08/10/2026

We’re happy to report that things are getting a little boring around W**e Down Ranch (and we love it).

The fire crews and equipment have moved on. The steers have reinstated their daily routine of grass to water to shade behind the house. Deer wander through the barnyard in the evenings. We’re putting equipment away, catching up on bookwork and maintenance, going to town, and even getting pickleball back on the calendar (when air quality allows).

After three weeks of living on edge, boring feels pretty wonderful.
For so long, every day started with checking wind speeds and directions, watching the path of the fire, looking for Watch Duty updates, checking in with neighbors, and figuring out where crews and equipment needed to go.
Then, suddenly, it stops.

The massive threat is gone, and we downshift to let go of the fear, adrenaline, and heightened response that comes when every minute counts.

There’s still smoke in the air, and we know the fire isn’t over for many communities nearby. We continue to think about them and the firefighters still working so hard to protect homes and land.

Here at W**e Down Ranch, we’re processing everything that happened. We're driving out to the edges as hot spots cool, assessing what was lost, and beginning to figure out what comes next. The kids have all been here too, taking it in, processing the events of those few weeks, and asking Roy their questions about what he sees in the forests.

Ultimately, our home and buildings are standing. Our animals are home and healthy. Guests are returning to the bunkhouse and tiny home. And when we look out from the house, there is still a whole lot of familiar green surrounding us.
We feel incredibly fortunate.

We haven’t said much in the past week, but know it’s because we’re enjoying a few boring days.

07/31/2026

Our four-legged family is back at the ranch 🩵 another sign that we are moving closer towards “normal” (or at least a ranchers version of it), while smoke and fire remain in the background.

Mikki, our border collie, stayed with us at home through the entire ordeal. She is a faithful friend 🐾

The horses got plenty of attention while they were “at camp.” Keno, Scout, Luna, and Katie made friends with Randy and his granddaughter, who spoiled them with daily brushing, treats, and lots of love. Now they’re running and enjoying being back in their home pastures, posting up in their usual spot behind the bunkhouse.

Even the shy barn kitty is warming up to attention. When we sit still and look away across the barnyard (rather than directly at it), kitty has mustered the courage to rub up against our legs…briefly.

Having the animals here provide us all with moments of distraction and comfort, a quick escape from the intensity we’re living with.

The fires have slowly dissipated away from the Little Table and Lincoln areas, but much fire activity remains in the National Forest and Mill Creek areas. Specifically, we are watching Big Table closely. While it’s in the Forest, the weather forecast calls for more hot, dry and windy days ahead.

Roy is back out this morning to clean out an old cat road that should hold that fire from coming into Sawtell Canyon and away from our neighbors. The crews are nearby and air support continues to help as needed.

Your prayers, energy and kindness are appreciated. We’re passing them along to the crew members and neighbors here, too.

**edownranch

07/29/2026

This might be our favorite photo of the week.

One of our game cameras up Lincoln caught a firefighter walking past yesterday. Instead of ignoring it, he looked up and waved.

Even in the middle of a wildfire, there is room for friendship.

As firefighters rotate through the ranch, Mary has been doing what you know her best for. She’s making sure there’s cold water, something to eat, a warm welcome, and a few moments of conversation.

We never would have wished for any of this. But somewhere between the smoke, the long days, and shared cups of cold water…we’ve made some new friends.

On Sunday evening, one of the structure protection firefighters joined us on the back patio for a few minutes. Quickly he and Mary found a commonality as grandparents. Then came another surprise.

His grandchild also lives in Canby. Our grandkids attend the same elementary school.

He mentioned Bingo Night and Mary remembered that Roy was in the gym that night with the kids, too. They chuckled about this year’s dance recital being a little longer than most.

For a few minutes, the fire faded into the background and we were just grandparents sharing stories.
—
The crews working here have come from many different places and speak different languages. But as each day passes, they are less like strangers and more like neighbors.

We won’t stop emphasizing our gratitude for every firefighter, heavy equipment operator, dispatcher, pilot, structure protector, and support person who has come through W**e Down Ranch. A simple “thank you” seems like such a small thing compared to what they’re doing, so we make a point to say it every chance we get.

We know there are tremendous resources committed to defending McKay Creek and Rowe Creek Complex-West Zone (fire was renamed). We don’t take that for granted. Every successful line they hold here helps protect the people farther down the road.

You have become part of our extended W**e Down family.
Thank you.

07/28/2026

Tuesday, July 28 update:
These photos are from today as we got out to check lines up Lincoln and Watertrough to survey the fire's impact.�
Like so many of you, we spent days hoping Brewer Fire and then Green Mountain Fire wouldn’t reach us. But once it did, something unexpected happened alongside the fear.
Curiosity.

Would decades of forest stewardship make a difference? Would Roy’s management plan work as intended? How would the fire behave, and what would be left behind?

Now we’re beginning to see the answers.

The fire is still active on the ranch, but in many places it has stayed low and slow, moving across the forest floor instead of racing through the tops of the trees.

This is what Roy has always hoped to see.

He knows fire isn’t always the enemy. In a healthy forest, low-intensity fire can act as nature’s cleansing process—reducing built-up fuels while leaving many mature trees standing. A black forest floor isn’t necessarily a tragedy. Sometimes it’s exactly what gives the forest—and firefighters—the best chance. It’s still unsettling to watch, but these photos show a forest that has a chance to recover.

The contrast becomes more apparent where the fire moves beyond the ranch and into denser, unmanaged forest. There, with heavier fuels available, the fire gains intensity, heat, and speed. A shift in the wind could still send that more aggressive fire back toward us or our neighbors.

That is the reality we’re still living with, battling against, and praying about as we watch Green Mountain.

Meanwhile, firefighters continue working tirelessly across the ranch. They’re chasing hot spots, strengthening fire lines, operating heavy equipment, and coordinating helicopters making endless trips carrying water to places no road can reach.

We cannot say enough about these fire crews. Their professionalism, teamwork, and determination are extraordinary. Every day they give us another reason to be hopeful.

There is still smoke everywhere. Looking through the W**e Down Ranch gate, it’s hard to imagine blue skies returning for good. But we know they will.

We hope these photos give you a bit of the hope we feel walking around here today 🖤

07/27/2026

Monday, July 27:
It's been more than a week with the Brewer Fire in our midst and it finally scarred the Ranch.

First, we'll emphasize that we are okay. Our ranch and structures now have 24-hour coverage with fire crews, and we’re feeling cautiously optimistic. They are impressed and encouraged by the conditions in the forest, the defensible space around our barnyard and structures, and where our homes sit.

The Brewer Fire made a push into our Upper Meadow and through Watertrough canyon yesterday afternoon. It took a run through our forest land before coming over the top of Lincoln. If you're using Watch Duty or WFCA maps, that's why you'll see the red hot spots on and near the ranch.

This morning Roy was up with fire crews to create more fire lines. Forest Service is actively putting in more line using our existing CAT roads to tie into Green Mountain fire. Watching this all unfold has been humbling and fascinating, and a bit surreal.

One thing that has given us hope is hearing from the people on the front lines. Many from the fire management team have shared that the condition of this forest, Roy’s knowledge of the land, and his decades of stewardship have made a meaningful difference in how this fire is behaving. The management planning and work completed over many years is helping firefighters do their work more effectively today.

Those words mean a lot to us. We will see the proof for ourselves when we can go into the canyons and witness how the fire moved through. The early photos are encouraging, as we hoped to see the fire move low and slow with less crowding and cleaner fuels. We have much to share (later) about Roy's dedication to the craft of forestry and why managing forest land, public and private, should be accepted by all who love the land.

We know there is still a long way to go, and we aren’t taking anything for granted. But today we are grateful—for the firefighters, the incident teams, our neighbors, and everyone who has reached out with support. Keep it coming. Oregon still needs a lot of help!

07/26/2026

Sunday July 26:
Fire crews began back burning our hillsides in Sealy Creek and the North side of McKay Creek Rd today. This proactive action eliminates fuels before the fires reach our front door. We are grateful for the crews’ expertise and determination to protect us and our neighbors.

The controlled burning feels like all the prayers are being answered. We are at peace watching the black dots appear in marble like patterns on the “Eliminator” hill across the road.

Each one reduces the threat of the Brewer Fire, while today’s winds are favorable to lure the Green Mountain Fire away from us. That allows firefighters to use our access roads into the forest to work towards defensibility.

We knew this was a possibility when the fire threats started a week ago. It’s a bit surreal watching the hillside burn, but there is safety and peace in how and why it’s happening.

Thank you for all your messages and prayers. They are working!

07/24/2026

Friday 7/24

Wake up, check Watch Duty. A habit grooved over the past week.

We’re sleeping better than expected. But when the dawn arises, we hurry to see where the hot spots have moved or popped up.

New red circles emerged to the east of us, at Green Mountain and Poppy Creek in the state forest. The kids all saw it too and the family group chat has been rolling all day. (We have reached the meme stage of fire talk)

Fire 0611 is now 35 acres, with crews responding in the dense forests that border our ranch. Brewer Fire stays to the north and west across the road from the houses. The smoke was significantly worse this morning, all the way into town.

Roy is moving his log loader and Timbco down off the hill. (Maybe he’s glad for something new to do.) He’s spent 25+ years managing the forest on the ranch property for exactly this scenario. That gives us all confidence for the best chances if the fires draw nearer.

We stay grateful for the fire crews, volunteers and neighbors who have made this week tolerable. Making plans for potlucks, going into town, and working the horses in arenas help normalize these long, uncertain days. Thank you for your messages, prayers and love sent our way. We absolutely feel them!

07/23/2026

Wednesday, July 22

Rainfall at the ranch! ⛈️ Short and sweet, but grateful to get what we can.

Weather is and will continue to be the biggest threat to the fires reaching W**e Down Ranch.

Today brought us wind and thunder along with rain. Red flag warnings continue, keeping it very interesting for the fire crews and those waiting out the fires.

Firefighters continue to do amazing works on the front lines of the fires. No structures in our area have been lost, but we know we are not yet in the clear.

We’re also thinking of friends and community in Sisters and across central Oregon. Stay safe ❤️

04/22/2026

So worth the short watch! We truly need to do something about our Ponderosa forests now!

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