As I left my house, I noticed to the northeast a fireball descending to the horizon behind the mountains surrounding our valley. I originally told Peter 5 secs duration, but it was more like 1-2 secs.the object was a large flaming (white) fireball with a tail and the flames seemed to be flickering even at a distance. Object descended and disappeared from view rapidly at an approximate 45 degree angle to the horizon, although since it was moving directly away from me, it was difficult to assess the angle of descent. I was surprised at the intensity of the light, since it was so close to the earth. I am a 64 year old male - former musician, and language scholar. I am returning to college for the first time in 20 years. I have seen one UFO in my life in 1954 while I was at Harvard. There was no question about that one.