I am anxiously awaiting the unloading process from our October 1-3 firing at La Paz for in Delaplane, Virginia.  We tried a new form (for us) of "down firing" that included the use of soaked, but seasoned wood.  We tried for moderation, letting the kiln fully oxidize before each new stoke.  We stopped the process at about 1590F. with a fairly heavy stoke and are hopeful that, between that and the very high ember pit, we will come up with a nice mix of flashing effects.  At this point, we've surrendered to the kiln and will be grateful for whatever results we get. 
Sometimes a first firing is just a step along the way in uncovering what our materials have to tell us. Almost all pots in this firing are compounded largely from clay from Stancill's mine in Perryville, Maryland.