Nor. Cal Wildfires making for some interesting shots?

**Hollis** · 28-Jun-2008, 20:06

Since I am headed up North past Big Sur and all, I was wondering if anyone was getting any decent shots what with the fires going on and all. Granted, it is a tragedy but I love shooting in the fog but just can't seem to get up early enough. So, this should provide for some nice atmosphere, photographically speaking.

**Daniel_Buck** · 28-Jun-2008, 22:54

I enjoyed shooting the burned out hills and trees in Malibu after the fires of late last year. Tradgedy, but make the most out of it I say! I liked shooting the burned out trees, because I grew up around forests in Louisiana, and forest fires were very rare (due to the usual heavy amounts of rain, and careful under-brush burning), seeing hill after hill of burned out trees was quite moving for me, and I enjoyed the shooting!

Be careful, when things burn, the soil can be weaker than normal, watch out for sliding on hills!

**Peter Mounier** · 29-Jun-2008, 08:44

You probably know that Hwy 1 is closed for a stretch south of Big Sur due to the fires. There is no through traffic.

Peter

**Hollis** · 29-Jun-2008, 23:03

Yeah, I had heard that the 1 was down, any idea when they will open it???

I have shot through the forest fires up in Colorado when I lived there so I know the dangers. My friend got lucky and ended up with a damn pulitzer from one of the days we were out. lucky bastard.

**Peter Mounier** · 30-Jun-2008, 08:39

The fires in Big Sur are still only about 3% contained. Here's the latest news I read regarding the fire...
Highway 1 will remain closed from Nepenthe to Lucia to all except emergency traffic, residents with passes and service workers. Residents can obtain a pass from the Big Sur Visitor Center to allow for access through the closure. Closures are subject to change at any time based on fire conditions.

Peter

**Hollis** · 4-Jul-2008, 02:20

And now the forced evacuation of the Big Sur area. Im never going to get there...

Oh well, out East to the 395 it is then.

**jwaddison** · 4-Jul-2008, 22:44

Here's some nice shots of an airplane based in BC that was sent down there.

http://www.shastalake.com/fire/index.html

**Hollis** · 12-Jul-2008, 23:30

Ok, I was asked to 'voluntarily evacuate pending a forced evacuation' of the Arroyo Seco area. I was about a mile away from the Marble Head area when the fire came over the mountain and made for some tense hours that evening. The stragest thing was that it was dead silent. No helicopters, no trucks, not Hot Shots, nothing. Even my radio was eerily silent as we watched the fire come down the mountain. Good stuff. No time or light for the 4x5 but got some digi snaps. Would have made for some great portrait light with all the natural ND in the air.

**Peter Mounier** · 13-Jul-2008, 11:12

Hi Hollis
I met you at Los Osos Oaks a few days ago. You gave me a ratchet strap to help me cart my LF gear into the forest.
I've seen your posts to this forum, and now I can put a face to them.
Good luck on your travels. Here's a pic I took away from the Oaks Preserve on the day we met. Sorry about the low jpeg compression to make the file small enough to display.

Peter

**Hollis** · 15-Jul-2008, 00:17

Peter! Hey, I was wondering if I was going to run into you on this site. I hope the strap helped get your gear into the grove. The shot looks good, nice color. I remember that tree, I sat on it while trying to figure out what to shoot. Here is a digi snap that I made while in there...