Sam Anderson

Ken is an older man with a square jaw, bright blue eyes, and the demeanor of a kind uncle. He's directing me and my producer Leona from the backseat of our cute red Mini Cooper, which he barely fits in. We're driving through the suburban sprawl of North Phoenix towards the striking mountain ranges that encircle the valley.

Ken is an older man with a square jaw, bright blue eyes, and the demeanor of a kind uncle. He's directing me and my producer Leona from the backseat of our cute red Mini Cooper, which he barely fits in. We're driving through the suburban sprawl of North Phoenix towards the striking mountain ranges that encircle the valley.

We're on the way to the scene of a fire that changed the course of Ken's life.

We're on the way to the scene of a fire that changed the course of Ken's life.

Gazing up at those mountains as we drive, I'm struck by the immense beauty of this place. It's way greener than I thought it would be, and the preserves are teeming with life. Cactuses are everywhere, short ones, tall ones, fat ones, skinny ones, long, dangly, ridiculous ones that look straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

Gazing up at those mountains as we drive, I'm struck by the immense beauty of this place. It's way greener than I thought it would be, and the preserves are teeming with life. Cactuses are everywhere, short ones, tall ones, fat ones, skinny ones, long, dangly, ridiculous ones that look straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

At night, coyotes and javelinas, which are like little wild piggies, will appear in your backyard, and you can hear a chorus of insects and owls hooting. But you'll also hear the constant hum of traffic rumbling down huge six-lane roads. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the U.S. These beautiful mountains we're driving past, they almost got transformed into urban sprawl.

At night, coyotes and javelinas, which are like little wild piggies, will appear in your backyard, and you can hear a chorus of insects and owls hooting. But you'll also hear the constant hum of traffic rumbling down huge six-lane roads. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the U.S. These beautiful mountains we're driving past, they almost got transformed into urban sprawl.

Back in the 70s, local activists fought hard to protect the mountains from development. But where those environmentalists wrote petitions, made a float for the Phoenix rodeo parade, and even took lawmakers on horseback rides through the mountains, CSP is using arson. And the homes they're burning aren't even in the preserve.

Back in the 70s, local activists fought hard to protect the mountains from development. But where those environmentalists wrote petitions, made a float for the Phoenix rodeo parade, and even took lawmakers on horseback rides through the mountains, CSP is using arson. And the homes they're burning aren't even in the preserve.

But driving past this peaceful oasis, I can start to understand why any development might feel threatening, and why some people might be driven to take extreme action against it. My daydream is interrupted when Ken begins to tell me a story.

But driving past this peaceful oasis, I can start to understand why any development might feel threatening, and why some people might be driven to take extreme action against it. My daydream is interrupted when Ken begins to tell me a story.

In the year 2000, Ken is at home in his yard.

In the year 2000, Ken is at home in his yard.

Ken hands over the barbecue tongs to his wife because he knows immediately this fire must be part of the arson spree. That was 25 years ago. Now I want to see the place for myself. From the backseat of the car, Ken directs us to the scene of the fire.

Ken hands over the barbecue tongs to his wife because he knows immediately this fire must be part of the arson spree. That was 25 years ago. Now I want to see the place for myself. From the backseat of the car, Ken directs us to the scene of the fire.

Ken heads toward the glowing light in the distance.

Ken heads toward the glowing light in the distance.

We're driving into a cul-de-sac full of big houses. The location triggers a rush of memories from Ken.

We're driving into a cul-de-sac full of big houses. The location triggers a rush of memories from Ken.