Rim Country Real Estate Blog | October 13, 2026 | Guy Pfister, Realtor (CDPE), DeLex Realty Fall is one of the best times of year up here. The air is cool, the leaves are turning, and it's a good moment to think about two things that shape life on the Rim: being ready for wildfire, and getting out on our trails. The Red Cross Needs Rim Country Volunteers The Payson Roundup reports that American Red Cross leaders came to the Payson Public Library for a session organized by the Rim Wildfire Awareness Team (RIMWAT) and made a strong appeal for local volunteers. According to the Red Cross, Payson currently has just two active Red Cross volunteers. Volunteers would help with school presentations, work with homeowners associations, encourage neighborhood "firewising," help with evacuation plans and staff evacuation centers. The Roundup notes that when the 2021 Backbone Fire forced Pine and Strawberry to evacuate, shelters in Payson were put together in a hurry and mostly staffed by volunteers from the Valley. If you'd like to help, the Roundup lists Red Cross volunteer recruiter Michelle Birmingham at michelle.birmingham@redcross.org or (480) 679-0011. What this means for homeowners: Wildfire readiness isn't just a public-safety issue. It's part of owning a home here. Clearing brush and pine needles around your house, keeping gutters clean and knowing your evacuation route are simple steps worth taking this fall. If your neighborhood or HOA hasn't talked about becoming a Firewise community, this is a great time to start. And if you're buying, ask your insurance agent about coverage early in the process, not the week before closing. A "Banner Year" for Trails Around Pine and Strawberry On a happier note, the Roundup reports that trail groups are wrapping up a big year, with key connections planned for December. Years of work have built a 21-mile network of trails around Pine that connects to the Arizona Trail and the Highline Trail. Two projects stand out: Buckshot Trail: This 2-mile trail starts at the Pine Trailhead. Once it's fully connected to the Highline, it will create a 5-mile loop. Volunteer work days are Oct. 13, 20, 27 and 31 at 8 a.m. Bring gloves and water, and wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Details are on the Pine Strawberry Fuel Reduction group's Facebook page. Strawberry Mountain Trail: An Arizona State Parks grant is paying for the heavy work on this long-awaited trail, which will eventually connect to Fossil Creek Road with views of the Mogollon Rim, Pine, Payson and Fossil Creek. Hikers are asked to avoid the north end Tuesday through Friday while crews are working. The Roundup reports the Rim Country Trail Fund has helped bring in $3.4 million in grants over the past 18 months. Those trails also serve as fire breaks that help protect the community. What this means for homeowners: For many buyers I work with, trail access is a big reason they choose Pine, Strawberry or Payson. Great trails support our tourism economy and the outdoor lifestyle people move here for. On the Market CAAR hasn't posted its next Rim Country closed-sales update yet. I'll share the real numbers as soon as it does. Around Town The Roundup reports that Time Out Shelter's annual Lanterns on the Lake is Thursday, Oct. 15, at Green Valley Park. Folks gather at 4 p.m., with an Awareness Walk around the lake at 5 p.m., followed by candlelit lanterns launched on the water. Have questions about your home, your neighborhood or what your place might sell for? Call or text me, Guy, at (928) 978-2838. Richard and I are always happy to talk Rim Country, with no pressure at all. Guy Pfister, Realtor (CDPE) | DeLex Realty | 404 S Beeline Hwy, Suite B & C, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 978-2838 Sources: Payson Roundup, "Red Cross recruiting Rim Country volunteers to prepare for disaster," Oct. 9, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/red-cross-recruiting-rim-country-volunteers-to-prepare-for-disaster/article_7bd98c2c-f926-4b96-9752-dc6249f77164.html Payson Roundup, "'Banner year' for trail building will conclude in December," Oct. 9, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/banner-year-for-trail-building-will-conclude-in-december/article_c9c9a7db-02b0-4009-a75a-3a206820db7a.html Payson Roundup, "Time Out Shelter's annual Lanterns on the Lake event on Thursday," Oct. 8, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/time-out-shelter-s-annual-lanterns-on-the-lake-event-on-thursday/article_3e44cf96-50e0-420a-a32c-36ea5c0e4719.html