As I sit in my apartment, at my comfortable desk, I am jarred from the peace by the shrieking of the building's fire alarm. Casually, I get up from my computer, grab my cell phone, and call the apartment manager to let them know we are buzzing again.

I'm in no hurry, as I don't smell smoke, my front door is cool to the touch, and the neighbors are loitering around in the breezeway. As I step outside, I notice the other end of the building is a bit more active. Then I see the smoke and notice one of my neighbors stomping flames out on what looks to be a rug. A young woman talks into her cell phone, tears streaming down her face, but still I hear no sirens. It must not be serious.

For several minutes, we stand around, these little fire incidents are the only time we talk to our neighbors and I know few of the names. This strikes me as sad, but I do nothing to change this. Five minutes later, I go back inside and turn on the television. I watch a follow up report announcing that another fire in California has been contained, and suddenly my heart tightens in my chest and I consider how fortunate I am. It is in this moment I decide that I can no longer stand by and do nothing. I could have gone to my neighbor's aid, but I chose to stay wrapped in my own shell of comfort. Not this time.

I immediately open a new e-mail and send a notice to a handful of authors I consider to be among the most giving and kind people, not to mention exceptional writers. I confidently share my idea, not all my ideas are warmly embraced, but this time, the response is overwhelming and immediate.

Within a week, I have stories from twenty authors, and AN emotional opening from a twenty-first. The support and enthusiasm generated by my idea is incredible.

The stories share a common theme, fire, yet are unique and engaging. Each of the authors has brought something exceptional to this collection with one sole purpose. Support.

Each of the contributors to this project have pledged 100% of their royalties to support the survivors of the San Diego, California wildfires. We have chosen to send our donations to the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County as this area sustained such a tremendous amount of personal loss. We fully recognize that all the losses are devastating, but with more than 1600 homes destroyed, nearly 100 firefighters injured in the line of duty, and more than half a dozen civilian deaths, we hope that our contributions will offer comfort and aid to those affected.

There's no denying that the need goes far beyond our reach, and we send our prayers for others to come forward and support those we cannot. But for our part, we hope that the small contribution we offer to San Diego will let the survivors know that at least twenty-five people from across America are thinking of them and want to ensure that the beginning of this new journey for each of them is filled with love and support, even from strangers.

I cannot imagine the emotional turmoil a person must endure when faced with the loss of everything, and it breaks my heart to imagine what so many are going through as they face the destruction of all they hold dear, homes, belongings, and even loved ones. For this reason, I pledge my support to these strong and determined survivors as they take one step at a time, one day after another, rebuilding, and in many instances, beginning again.

Karen L. Syed, President

Echelon Press, LLC

My personal thanks to Kat Thompson, Sr. Editor, Lisa Fisherkeller, Executive Administrator and Editor, and Nathalie Moore, Graphic Director, for their contributions to this project. They, too, have declined payment for their part in this project.

From the Editor:

This anthology is dedicated to the victims of the southern California wildfires, in support of their determination to rebuild and in sympathy of their losses.

In Oregon we have also suffered from wildfires that destroyed forests, homes, and livelihoods. The stories here bring those feelings of terror, awe, relief, sadness, and even humor we all find in disaster.

I've been very lucky. I have never personally suffered a disaster--no fires, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes. The closest I ever came was trying to get home on the train, after 9/11 (4 days from Alabama to Oregon). I was not harmed, merely inconvenienced, but it was a scary time and I desperately wanted to get home to my family. It was awful to be adrift, cut off from home and family, yet there was humor, joy, and a sense of community on that train as it crossed the country. These stories brought that back to me, rekindling the sense of shock, worry, awe, and, even joy from the whole experience.

Kathryn Thompson, Sr. Editor

Echelon Press, LLC