New Year Wildland Firefighter Retreat at Tassajara Zen Center

Wildland firefighters from across the country expressed profound gratitude for the rest refuge and renewal offered at the annual Tassajara Wildland Firefighter Retreat, 12/28/25-1/2/26. 

The retreats began in 2020 when wildland firefighters who had helped defend Tassajara from encroaching fires, and who knew the ever-increasing stressors, risks and intensity of the firefighter’s work, approached SFZC to ask if Zen Center might be able to offer mindfulness and meditation tools and support for the firefighter community. 

The retreat has since become a sought-after annual offering that brings together circles of communities of care. This year eighteen wildland firefighters from different agencies and representing diverse experiences—from hot shots and smokejumpers to high level administration—practiced together with deep intention to not turn away from the complexity of the grief and joys of their profession, and to cultivate wholehearted care for self, other, Tassajara and the earth. 

As part of their intention to give back, they joined in a day of work with firefighters from previous wildland retreats who returned to support SFZC by cutting firewood for Tassajara, taking down fallen trees, burning leaf piles, and doing wildfire prevention work. Volunteers also came in to prepare delicious meals for all and to be of support for the staff and residents in the valley.

Wildland Firefighter retreat participants with leaders

New Years Eve Bonfire, 12/31/25

On New Years Eve everyone gathered together in the zendo for meditation and the ringing of the bonsho bell 108 times, and at the blazing bonfire for song, poetry, laughter and tears and offerings of things to release and call in for 2026. The kitchen prepared an extraordinary ramen feast that evening, and blueberry pancakes for all in the morning!

In these challenging and difficult times, the Wildland Firefighter Retreat offers immersion in the healing power and care of community and the direct experience of practice as a path of refuge and renewal for body mind and spirit.   

Thank you to the generous donors and sponsors and to everyone in the Tassajara valley who participated to making this retreat a success. Together, we illumined the darkness. 

Chris Fortin, Lee Klinger Lesser, Marc Lesser 

Retreat Leaders 

The retreat is co sponsored by SFZC fire.sfzc.org and FUSEE