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On July 6, 2013 the Chariot Fire raged in the Laguna Mountains nearby. I was camping up there that weekend and had to evacuate. The fire burned over 7,000 acres of forest and destroyed 149 structures. After the fire I was hired to assist in evaluating the cost of some of the lost structures. One of these were a small lodge, Foster Lodge, owned and operated by the Sierra Club.



The cabin was completely destroyed.



Note the Oak trees that surrounded cabin. Most of these old growth Oaks were lost. While on the site I had a small section of the one of the trees cut. I dried it for a year and then on the anniversary of the fire turned it into this simple little box.









Southern California fires take so much from us every year. I'm glad I could save this little piece.

Bubinga trim, Danish Oil, Wipe on Poly
10 3/8" x 5" x 3 1/2"

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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179 Posts
Man I'm glad you posted this! It not only is beautiful, basically because it doesn't look plastic, but because as you said it saved a little piece of beauty out of a tragedy. Thanks so much for posting. It also remind me of that fine woodworking doesn't have to come from exotic and expensive material.
 

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7,502 Posts
+1 what Steve said. This is an awesome build, and a gr8 story. Forest fires make me sad, and sick feeling.
 

· In Loving Memory
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10,077 Posts
Wood with a history/story is always the best kind. I can't believe you sawed that lumber from that log with a handsaw! Very impressive.
 

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224 Posts
Thanks for posting this, so great that this piece of Oak has a new life. I love the way you have used hand tools as well great work.
 

· Registered
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2,183 Posts
Sad story. Its nice you were able to make something nice from it.
 

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8,785 Posts
nice box, nice story, thanks for sharing
 

· Registered
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8 Posts
Wow. Beatiful history. Congratulation guy.
 

· Registered
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648 Posts
Beautiful box and beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
 

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479 Posts
Editors Choice….....deservedly so! This is simple elegance by way of tragedy. Like the way you did the lid/trim and the splines really set it off. True eye candy!
 

· Registered
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107 Posts
Wow! Can't believe I missed this earlier.
Magnificent story and even better project.
Thanks.
 

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3,645 Posts
Great save on the wood and wonderful box
 

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90 Posts
Great project. Good story all the way around.
 
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