The Fourmile Canyon Wildfire

Last evening myself and Paul Gana went to photograph the wildfire, and what awaited us was something the likes of which I have never seen. I always wanted to photograph a wildfire, but I have to say, I couldn't help but stop and be reminded of the people who are and have lost their homes, and whose lives are changed forever. Thank goodness for very long lenses is all I can say. I would in no way want to be close to this monster. Talk about bittersweet, one of the photos I shot now seems to be going viral on twitter http://twitpic.com/2m1ghy I only wish I never had to photograph it to begin with... I have only processed 3 thus far since coming home late last night but I started a gallery of images on my website if anyone else wants to see them http://jdebordphoto.zenfolio.com/fourmile_canyon_wildfire This was shot with my Sony a550 and my Tamron 200-400mm lens. A much larger version can be seen here http://jdebordphoto.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p95430463.jpg

John

Yikes! That is one nasty fire. Do they know how it started? I haven't heard that part on the news.

@Todd I haven't heard a thing about how it started....my bet is going on campfire though

Apparently, it was a propane tank explosion, possibly a propane truck wrecked. Not sure about that though. You can actually find heaps of info on Twitter by searching #boulderfire or #fourmilefire,

I took some photos too but instead of highjacking John's thread I'll post another one with some of my pics later. :)

That is definitely a scary image, we were camping in that area over the weekend and left about an hour before the fire started (don't worry, our campfire was completely doused before leaving, I'm an Eagle Scout so I always overdo it when putting out a fire). I wonder what would have happened if we had tried leaving later...

Wow, that's impressive!

Truly amazing power. We were driving back from South Dakota yesterday and started noticing the smoke cloud just south of Wheatland, WY. Back in the dark ages when i was going to college in Washington I spent summers working fire suppression for the Forest Service. I've never been in a hurricane and the tornados I've ridden out were pretty small but the power generated by a wildfire is the most amazing thing I've seen to date. Until you see one in full force up close and personal it's difficult to imagine. Let's all say a prayer for the firefighters who today are putting themselves in harm's way.

The Sheriff reported that the fire was caused when a truck hit a propane tank...
In any case, spectacular images of one of Mother Natures most devastating events. I've fought my share of wildland fires, but none as big as this. Nowadays I stick to fires that I can drive my truck and 500 gallons water to.

This sure shows the proximity to heavily populated areas and the intensity of the fire.