The scene we woke up to yesterday was smoky but not bad. This meant we could see the mountains and the phone app indicated the air wasn’t hazardous. Jerri and I hemmed and hawed and finally decided to make a run up to our “private” lake that we have enjoyed on my birthday last week. We got in one good kayak ride and were lounging on the beach when we noticed smoke pouring in from the west. This was our first indicator that we probably made an error in judgement. A disclaimer here…I did not take most of these photos. Jerri took some and Facebook had some posted.
Photos from the Dixie fire equal these if not surpass them as it is now the largest fire burning in the western states. I believe the Dixie fire was begun by lightning but the Caldor fire was begun by someone’s stupidity, an illegal bonfire and wind. I do think of an apocalypse when I see these pictures and having seen the glow, eeriness and sun disappearing on a daily basis.
My family and I are very blessed not to have lost anything due to these devastating fires and we grieve for those who have been injured or killed. We thank all those brave firefighters who put their lives on the line to help stamp out the conflagrations. Jerri’s son, Scott, is one of those firefighters who works long, difficult hours for weeks at a time. We hold our collective breaths when we know he’s out on a fire.
buzzardnotes 
Oh my! These are extraordinary pictures! It’s all so sad what is happening to our planet. Hopefully we will all continue and double our efforts to try to make amends. Be safe and try not to breathe too deeply. Love, ~c
Wow! That is scary looking air! Our skies are just grayed out, but the orange-y skies are just spooky. Thanks for sharing them with us.
We may be even closer to the Caldor Fire on the western side than you are on the eastern side. But since all the smoke drifts easterly, I can imagine you feel suffocated by all the smoke, especially now that the fire has explded to over 68,000 acres! We have white skies and an ember orange sun here on the eastern toes of the Sierras. The freeway signs here in El Dorado Hills announce the fire conditions on Eastbound 50. Stay safe and be well, Ms. Buzzard Notes. . . BJF
Dear Cora, these photographs, yours and those published on Facebook, are so thrilling and of such overwhelming beauty! Sitting here comfortably, in our cozy little home so far away, in front of my computer screen, sipping a nice cup of tea, all safe and easy, I have to remind myself that this is not just pictures, not a photographers’ contest for the most picturesque shot, but serious, terrible, desasterous reaity for half a continent, and for the people, animals, and plants that used to inhabitate it. Love and good wishes to them, to you and your family, especially to Scott and his comrades, Angel
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