Wildfires are becoming part of summer here in California. Last week we broke several heat records as numerous forest fires raged in various parts of the state. The one nearest to me, about 45 miles away, is the Mosquito Fire. It currently is about 10 percent contained and has burned more than 46,000 acres.
My daughter and I took a drive up the hill to photograph the rather remarkable pyrocumulus clouds we could see filling the sky. There were lots of campers and trucks driving in the opposite direction and we had to wonder if they were people being evacuated or who might have lost their homes. As we stood at a scenic overlook the mood was somber and quiet. Everyone was awed, scared, and overwhelmed by the enormity of what we were seeing.
My heart goes out to those affected by this fire and others in the state. I’ve included some photos at the end of the blog of the beautiful sky this morning and the new growth in my yard. I think it’s important to remember after a fire the land will rebuild and plants will regrow.
- Latest information about the Mosquito Fire
- Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
Wow, incredible pictures. Here i. Washington state we are experiencing similar. Ash falling like snow over the weekend. It looks very apocalyptic.
The ash and smoke were so terrible on Friday I kept my children home from school. It’s better today, but it’s becoming far too normal. I’m sorry to hear this happens in Washington state as well. I hope you stay safe.
WOW! Scary.
It really was so apocalyptic in nature. I’ve never seen anything like this before and hope to never again.
This is so frightening to me. All this is contributing to Global warming and then all the trauma to people, land and animals. This is sad. Appreciate your lovely photographs of new growth. Please be careful. 🦋❤️🦋
It was frightening. Thank you. Although it appears we got close, we were still very far from the fires. The effects of Global warming are very real and it’s quite terrifying to think what might happen next.
I talked to my daughter in WA so I am so grateful for your post. Please be careful and saying a prayer for you and yours and all the families close to fires. 🙏🙏
You have the eye of a photographer and the heart of a poet. Beautiful yet somewhat scary photos. Thank you for the beautiful look at your yard at the end! My brother lives in Arizona, and if we even hear of a fire in the state, it’s a thousand are you okay phone calls and dropping to our knees. So, I have to ask, “Are you okay? Any prayer requests?” How is your Mom today?
Thank you dearest for the concern. The fire isn’t any closer to us and the smoke has finally cleared. Pray for the brave firemen out there trying to keep it away from homes.
My mother-in-law passed on the 25th. It’s been a hard few weeks but she’s made sure I know she’s okay.
I am relieved that you are far away from the fires, and I will pray for those fighting them.
I am so grateful that your mother-in-law let you know she is okay.
My brother lived in Idyllwild, California. He had to escape the mountains. The fires came close to his home. Hello dear Bridgette. I wish we could send our Michigan rain. Rains, almost everyday.
I’m glad your brother survived his close encounter with the wildfires. It’s scary living in the mountains.
We have had 44 days of over 100 degree weather this year breaking a record from 1988. Today it is finally in the 80s with peaceful clouds. We’d surely love some of that Michigan rain.
Been raining, almost everyday. Ugly storms too. I pray California get some rain dear Bridgette.
Wow Bridgette, amazing photos!! 👌👌👏👏👍👍❤️❤️
Thank you so much.
A beautiful and interesting collection, Bridgette!
Thank you so much, Michele.
😊
Such an interesting post. Scary too. Glad you see newness in your garden. Will remember to pray for the fire fighters
Thank you 😊
These are wild and beautiful cloud formations. There is beauty in destruction, but hard to see that while having your life disrupted. The many climate changes are concerning.
Absolutely. I think that’s why I felt compelled to add the new growth photos at the end. It feels hard to see that destruction and not feel deep sadness for what might be still to come with climate change.
Beautiful photographs and I also feel bad for those who are forced to flee.
Thank you. So far no homes have burned and hopefully that stays true.
The fire is heartbreaking but the clouds are spectacular. The sky looked like it was on fire. Stunning work Bridgette ❤️
Thank you. It was really a remarkable and sad sight.
Scary wild fires. Beautiful photography Bridgette. Stay safe.
Thank you for the kind words. ❤️
Sad occurrence in our world. Not normal. And it’s scary. We need to do more to right things.
Thanks for the photos. XoXo
True. We do need to pay more attention to Earth’s rising temps and do more to slow global warming. Thank you for stopping by.
Isn’t it amazing how nature can be scary and beautiful at the same time?
“after a fire, the land will rebuild, and plants will regrow” – a great reminder!
It really is amazing! Thank you.
It hurts to live these situations up close, but it is part of life itself, the cycle of nature to be reborn. My solidarity with those affected and beautiful shots you share with us today, especially the last photos as they are more shocking with how beautiful nature is.
Greetings and hugs from afar, Bridgette.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I drove through Oregon this summer and was happily surprised to see homes and plants returning to the land after their big fire. It is part of living in nature, but it can be terrifying to experience.
Totally agree. One way or another, nature surprises us. 🤗🤗
Wow. All the pics are gorgeous❤❤❤❤. Love it. 😊😊😊🥰🥰
Thank you 😊
The fires up here in Oregon are also bad as they always seem to be at this time of year. Scary. The photos are beautiful.
It does seem part of the summers now, doesn’t it? Stay safe, Jeff and thank you for your kind words.
It does seem like part of our summers now. Thank you, Bridgette, safety to you too, and, you’re most welcome.
The photos are amazing! We are about 100 miles south-west of the fires so we aren’t getting the smoke this time around. Stay safe.
Thank you. Yes, the smoke seems part of summer now doesn’t it? A nice breeze came up and most of the smoke is gone now. I hope the breeze doesn’t make the fire spread more rapidly through.
It’s sad that smoke and fires have become a way of life. We have family that is evacuated every year. Thank the Lord, this far they have not lost their home.
I pray they continue to stay safe.
Nice photos of the Pyrocumulous Clouds. It is really nice that you captured them in the Golden Hours of Sunset.
Thank you. Yes, the day was almost over and although I was terribly tired I decided it would be best to go out anyway. It was good I did because they were gone by morning.
Your photographs are amazing (as always); I had no idea there were such things as Pyrocululus clouds. I’m sorry you’re experiencing wildfires near where you live, although I know they are happening everywhere these days because of climate change. It’s terrifying to see how fast these occurrences are developing and spreading. I feel so much for the people who have lost their homes and livelihoods; I feel for the creatures being destroyed in our ecosystem and the loss of the trees, which are needed for so many animals to survive. I appreciate that trees grow back, but unfortunately, it takes decades to grow a tree to the size of a mature one. Without their habitats, animals and insects die.
What is your temperature like out there now? Are you still experiencing heat waves? Even in the UK, we had a heatwave this summer with unprecedented temperatures of 40C. Two roads away from me, a fire was started by some ignorant, unthinking person who threw a cigarette butt onto the ground. The fire destroyed 15 gardens, sheds and fences and damaged the outside of properties (guttering melting etc.) One cat was injured, and another sadly died. It was awful. I know our fires aren’t as bad as wildfires elsewhere, naturally, but because we were experiencing a drought at the time and the ground and grass were tinder-dry, the fire really took hold. I even got up the following day to find a coating of ash on all my garden surfaces, windowsills, bins, flower pots etc. It’s becoming a frightening world. Thanks for sharing your photos of new life growing. It gives me hope amidst the despair. Thanks for sharing them, Bridgette … Ellie xx 🦢🌷🌴😘
Thank you for sharing your story, Ellie. That sounds like a terrifying event and I’m so sad to hear a cat’s life was lost. Poor dear!
Like most of the world, we’ve had a super hot summer breaking a bunch of records, but I’m happy to say today is nice and breezy and cool. I’m afraid the wind might be bad for the firefighters though. Pray they stay safe and the fires stay clear of people and their homes.
Although it takes a long time for the forests to regrow, it’s supposed to grow back stronger with a richer soil. I have to look for the positive otherwise it’s simply too sad.
I care for Californinians. They are brave. Every summer it happens again. Beautiful photos!
Thank you. Yes, it seems to be a summer thing now. Californians are brave and resiliant 🙂
stunning images.
Thank you!
You have some surreal sky images.
In love with them 💜
Thank you so much!
My god! Those pyrocumulus clouds,
They caught my attention straight away..
Thanks! Aren’t they something else? Very other-worldly.
Of course, they are and the photography made us look at that terrific creation.