Gloria

Driving back from my second day covering the Bryson Fire, I get a voicemail from my editor. “On your way back, see if there is any smoke coming from Soledad. There is a small brush fire that might be worth checking out.”

The small brush fire quickly turned into a 6,400 acre wildfire. When I arrived, the city of Soledad was at a complete standstill. Everyone in their homes, in their cars and in the street was staring at the Eastern hills as a long line of fire snaked its way south. I also found myself just staring at times, watching the blaze stretch across our whole horizon. One little kid caught me staring and said, “Aren’t you suppose to be taking pictures?”

Pretty soon the entire town went pitch black as the electricity went out. The only light came from the streaking headlights of cars and the warm orange glow of the fires. It was incredibly apocalyptic to watch. Here is an audio slideshow I compiled from the Gloria Fire with a few extra frames I stole from my fellow Californian photographer, Scott MacDonald.