Chasing Blazes: Sublime Photos of Wildfires

2 minute read

Over the last two fire seasons, I’ve photographed wildfires in Southern California at night. On location, there is absolute calm and stillness in the burn area of a wildfire. In May I stood atop a mountain overlooking San Marcos and Escondido in San Diego County, alone and under the moonlight, with the distant roar of flame and fire engine siren lights in the valley below. Smoke hung low over the valley, enveloping the cities in an ashy cocoon as the Cocos Fire smoldered. I setup my tripod and made images as the fire danced vertically into the air, inexorably marching forward, towards more homes.

This is, for me, a typical evening photographing fire.

Deciding which fires to roll out on, accessing them, scouting the right spot, and hiking around steep hills and mountains at night in smouldering and unfamiliar terrain can be a challenge. Often there is falling rock and debris to watch out for, in addition to “snags” — wildland fire parlance for trees or limbs that are still burning at the stump or damaged and about to fall.

When I photographed the Brand Fire on June 22, multiple firefighters were injured from falling rock. I constantly remind myself to keep up my situational awareness as I focus on making pictures. I’ve trained physically as well to stay sharp after long hikes and hot days.

From a safety standpoint, the Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior class I audited with the U.S. Forestry Service has proven invaluable. Of the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders I learned, #2 and #3 say “know what your fire is doing at all times” and “base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.” Because of the severe drought gripping California, erratic fire behavior is normal on many fires I have covered. Santa Ana Winds or dry thunderstorms exacerbate the danger and fuels in July are already burning like it’s late August.


Stuart Palley is a Los Angeles based photographer documenting wildfires, backroads and night skies.


Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The El Portal Fire burns on a hillside in the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, July 27, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Rim Fire burns through Yosemite National park and the Stanislaus National Forest in late August. Multiple heads to the fire can be seen in this long exposure image.Stuart Palley
The French Fire burns overnight in the Sierra National Forest near Mammoth Pool, Calif., August 1, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
A long exposure shows smoldering remains of overnight fires on the hillsides of San Marcos, San Diego county, Calif., USA, early May 16, 2014. Stuart Palley—EPA
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Shirley Fire burns at night off of Old State Rd near Lake Isabella while a helicopter circles overhead and crews work on a slopover, Calif., June 15, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
A full moon rises over the active flank of the Colbert Fire off San Gabriel Canyon Road in Azusa, Calif., Thousands of people were under mandatory evacuation orders overnight, Jan. 17, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Shirley Fire burns overnight near Lake Isabella Calif., on the evening of June 15, 2014. By morning the fire had burned 2200 acres. At least two structures were lost.Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Chariot Fire burns in the mountains south of San Diego, Calif., July 8, 2013. Stuart Palley—Orange County Register
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Shirley Fire burns at night off of Old State Rd near Lake Isabella, Calif., while a helicopter flies overhead. June 15, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Powerhouse fire spreads at night near Lancaster, Calif., June 2, 2013. Stuart Palley—EPA
The French Fire burns overnight in the Sierra National Forest near Mammoth Pool, Calif., August 1, 2014. Stuart Palley
The French Fire, one of six major fires burning in California, burns in the Sierra National Forest near Mammoth Pool, Calif., August 1, 2014. Stuart Palley
The French Fire burns overnight in the Sierra National Forest near Mammoth Pool, Calif., August 1, 2014. Stuart Palley
The French Fire burns overnight in the Sierra National Forest near Mammoth Pool, Calif. By morning the fire had burned over 11,400 acres. August 1, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
Embers fly off burned out trees at the Etiwanda Fire in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., April 30, 2014 Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Butts Fire burns near the town of Angwin in Napa County, Calif., July 1, 2014. Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
Mountain Fire near Mountain Center, Riverside County, Calif., July 16, 2013.Stuart Palley
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Silver Fire burns near Cabezon, Calif., Aug. 8, 2013. Stuart Palley—EPA
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
The Colbert Fire burns off Highway 39 near Azusa, Calif., Jan. 17 , 2014. Stuart Palley—EPA
Stuart Palley, Chasing Blazes
A long exposure shows smolderings remains of overnight fires on the hillsides of San Marcos, San Diego county, Calif., May 16, 2014. Stuart Palley—EPA

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com