Large fireball which flew as if under intelligent control. NightTime characteristics: no clouds, no moon

In 1975-1976 my father was employeed to cut firewood about 40 miles north-west of Prescott Arizona. We were living in the National Forest there for over a year while he was working. Essentially, a three month summer camping trip turned into a year and a half camping trip. Anyway.... Ill be brief in describing what I saw.  3rd incident: I was sleeping in the back our station wagon (car) that was parked in the same camp mentioned in incident #2-cigar. Our camp was located under some large ash trees and adjacent to the creek bed. I woke up during the night and was looking at all the stars of which I could see through the trees...there was a row of trees near the car and then a large clearing. Anyway...I saw what I'll describe as a large fireball. I saw it fly from my extreme right-hand view. It swooped down near our camp, but far enough away that I couldn't really estimate size. It was, however, fairly large. Maybe as big as a small house....anyway...It crossed my field-of-view and flew to my extreme left-hand view. I lost sight of it through the trees. After a wait of several minutes I saw it further away gaining altitude and heading more west. I lost sight of it after that and didn't see it again. Other sightings: Please refer to cigar and unknown shaped objects.
Date is approximate.  One of three reports submitted by same source, who describes self as "student."   PD))