Forest Fire: As many of you may already be aware, forest fires are hot. Really, really hot. Taking photos of them therefore can get the photographer also very, very hot. Possibly even...

DrWilk Loc: .

As many of you may already be aware, forest fires are hot. Really, really hot. Taking photos of them therefore can get the photographer also very, very hot. Possibly even a little singed as well. And certainly a little smelly.
This is not a hobby that I recommend very highly.

This fire was about a half mile from my house. I actually made it to the fire before the firefighters arrived.

Western Canada and the U.S. are suffering through a very hot, very dry summer which is resulting in an extremely active fores tfire season. Another one started on Thursday afternoon and went from a few acres to about 6000 overnight and has closed off highways 3 and 33. Hopefully rain in the forecast will help but unfortunately they're expecting lightning with it.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Amazing photos of a very scary and horrific situation. Yakima was full of smoke yesterday morning from various fires in the area.

DrWilk Loc: .

We have two going right now, one crossed the border a little south of us was started by a plane that crashed. Unfortunately the people both died.

Linda From Maine wrote:

Amazing photos of a very scary and horrific situation. Yakima was full of smoke yesterday morning from various fires in the area.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

DrWilk wrote:

As many of you may already be aware, forest fires ... (show quote)

These are intense, to say the least. Hope they get them under control soon.

gwr Loc: South Dartmouth, Ma.

horrible situation. powerful images. gary

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

very well done shots

Sharon from CDA Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

DrWilk wrote:

As many of you may already be aware, forest fires ... (show quote)

Awesome shots - I don't think I would be brave enough to get that close... My heart is breaking over the burning of our beautiful Inland Northwest. Thank you for showing the stark reality of these fires.....

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

That first one is almost a work of art composition wise and the range of tones; there seems to be a cylinder or something dangling near the center of the picture. Was it taken with a telephoto lens or cropped extensively or did you really get that close?

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

As I look at these it brings out many feelings...sadness, fear, scary, and HOT! Very good shots, DrWilk! I hope you weren't affected personally by these horrible fires!

DrWilk Loc: .

Thank you George. Yes, I was that close, my shoes got a little singed. I'm a little dumb that way. No cropping has been done at all. The cylinder "was" a birdfeeder beside a picnic table.

georgevedwards wrote:

That first one is almost a work of art composition wise and the range of tones; there seems to be a cylinder or something dangling near the center of the picture. Was it taken with a telephoto lens or cropped extensively or did you really get that close?

DrWilk Loc: .

Other than from breathing the smoke and burning my shoes a little I wasnt hurt or affected at all. Thank you for you concern and your feelings.

sailorsmom wrote:

As I look at these it brings out many feelings...sadness, fear, scary, and HOT! Very good shots, DrWilk! I hope you weren't affected personally by these horrible fires!

DrWilk Loc: .

To be honest, Sharon, I was more excited than worried. In a really dumb way it was fun. We are having a rough time of it this summer, aren't we?

Sharon from CDA wrote:

Awesome shots - I don't think I would be brave enough to get that close... My heart is breaking over the burning of our beautiful Inland Northwest. Thank you for showing the stark reality of these fires.....