The Spark
By: Kai Crouse
Category: Uncategorized
| Aperture: | f/6.3 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length: | 132mm |
| ISO: | 100 |
| Shutter: | 1/0 sec |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 7D |
My drive through southern New Mexico took me to a small town called Fort Sumner. This town was known as the place where Billy “the Kid” Bonney was killed and buried, and the relocation point for thousands of Navajo and Apache Indians during the 1860’s. I arrived in Fort Sumner to find the entire surrounding area burning while teams of firefighters worked to protect the town and it’s monuments. These fires have been ravaging West Texas and the Southwest due to increased winds and lack of rainfall. This one in Fort Sumner was suspected to have started from a tire blowout which in turn can cause the single spark needed to ignite thousands of acres of brush.
Once started, control is the only option. This firefighter looks on as the fire moves quickly through the dried trees. He was using flares to ignite a path for the fire to follow that would move it away from the town.
Opaque Ghosts 
The dolor tone and composition of this shot gave me an impressiong of an old painting at first sight. Then fire cought my eyes, but I must look again to recognize the firefighter after I read your comment. Was this taken broad daytime (with smoke) or evening? How close were you to this raving scene?
I wondered if you’d run into this blaze. Unfortunate circumstances, of course, but I like the photo.
me like!