Walker poet loses life in Mountain View fire

Eastern Sierra poet Sallie Joseph was identified as the victim of the Mountain View Fire.

The Mono County Sheriff’s reported that the 69-year-old was found in the remains of her Lone Company Road home.

Joseph contributed and helped compile “Rain on the Sage: More Poetry from the Hunewill Ranch” published in 2003.

She authored the poem “The Memory Taker” about her mother Sally Knowles, who was the first female brand inspector in California, appointed in 1971.

“Her family has been notified, and our hearts go out to them for their loss,” Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Braun said.

Tuesday’s fire claimed more than 90 structures and more than 20,000 acres.

Mono County authorities are calling it the largest and most destructive fire in Mono County. The state of California has declared a state of emergency in Walker.

Most of Walker remains uninhabitable due to environmental hazards, lack of power and potentially compromised water supplies.

According to the sheriff’s office, 127 people were sheltered by the Red Cross on Wednesday night.

Current information is available at monocounty.ca.gov.

Financial donations are being accepted by the Mammoth Lakes and Northern Mono chambers of commerce.

Visit mammothlakeschamber.org Checks may be mailed to NMCC, 106651 Highway 395, Coleville, CA 96107. Write Mountain View Fire Relief in the subject line.