Fire Photography is what we live for and sharing stories and events is what we are all about.
Join us on our journey as we travel from the Seattle area up to the raging Taylor Bridge Fire just outside of Cle Elum, Washington, on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.
Driving up Interstate 90 heading Eastbound, we find evidence along the way fires have hit various areas of the freeway shoulder.
Smoke is observed billowing from the Ridge straight across the valley as we arrive in to the town of Cle Elum.
Driving further into town, we find the Taylor Bridge Fire Camp has been setup at a local school. Here is a Water Tender sitting at the Staging Area.
Kittitas County Fire District #7’s Water Tender at Fire Camp Staging.
Many Agencies are taking part in this large Fire Incident working together. Here are some of the fire apparatus and incident partners we spotted around town.
This fire crew was seen leaving the Fire Camp based out of a local school in the town of Cle Elum.American Red Cross vehicle parked in downtown Cle Elum.Kittias Valley Fire & Rescue Medic 293 parked downtown Cle Elum.Fire Brush Truck coming through Cle Elum, possibly returning from fire incident back to Fire Camp.King County Fire District #44.
After a few stops were made in town, it was now more than obvious the fire was closer to us than previous thought. We left to explore just exactly where all of the action was happening.
Smoke billowing behind the ridge could be seen from the Interstate.
Arriving at Exit #93 off of I-90, we were amazed at the events that began to unfold before us as we drove over a bridge.
Amazing footage before arriving over the bridge.
Setting up camp at the Fruit Stand would be one of many photo opportunities of this now out-of-control fire. We remained at a safe distance.
Taylor Bridge Fire watching from the Fruit Stand. Amazing captured photo. Photo by Eric Swenson.
Several Helitacs arrive with water buckets. Help was on the way.
Compare this photo to the small image of a person standing on top of the Water Tower and you get the idea of how huge this fire really is. Photo by Eric Swenson
A Tanker came in with fire retardant on board. An amazing picture of the plane just above our heads or so it seems. At one time or another there appeared to be three (3) Helitacts with water buckets and two (2) Tankers with retardant trying to catch the fire.
A Tanker with Fire Retardant on board flies overhead. Photo by Eric Swenson.
We could see in the distance of a second fire near the Wind Farms which wasn’t a good sign. A third was on another ridge. It appeared there were three fires all in motion.
Helitac with a water bucket near the Wind Farms. Photo by Eric Swenson
It was beginning to get crowded at the Fruit Stand with so many spectators and the Media in full force.
Lots of people at the Blog camp. Photo by Eric Swenson.
A better look at the smoke engulfing the Wind Farms. Notice how thicker the smoke is getting.
Photo by Eric Swenson.
We move to a better location for possible close-up shots. A long the way, we see large plumes of smoke that appear to be eating up a nearby community. We hope that’s not the case but it’s not looking good.
Photo by Eric Swenson.
We’ve moved again driving by this community up a dead end road where we find another great camp to take photos. This place has lots to offer.
We move from our perch due to heavy smoke and we have just heard on the fire scanner, the fire has now jumped the canal heading our way. Not a good sign, so we decide to leave.
Our journey has been very productive and we have reaped our rewards for recording this moment in fire history. Though the fire still prevails at the moment, we have this update for you at the time of 2200 hours:
– 28,000 acres have burned
– 70 homes have been lost
– Several hundred firefighters are on scene, with 800 more to arrive soon.
– The Governor has declared it a State of an Emergency deploying the National Guard.
– 500 people have been evacuated.
– The fire is only 10% contained.
– Cause determined to be started by a welder working on a construction project.
The Fire Blog Team is fully aware what firefighters must endure to fight a house fire or a commercial structure to put out the fire. A wildland fire is a total different beast to state the obvious. The Taylor Bridge fire has been noted now as the worst fire in history of Washington State.
We honor the men and women who have put their lives on the line so that Others May Live and to Protect Property. Though we understand it takes a lot of endurance and mental strength to do what you, we can’t even find the words to say how much we appreciate what you do.
Here are some of the comments from area residents as we took photos of the fire incident:
“Firefighters are putting their lives on the line. They are in my thoughts and prayers.”
Thank you to the many Firefighters for what you do on a daily basis whether you are fighting the wildland fires across the Country, here in Washington State or where you are stationed. Thank you!
(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog
(c) 2012 Eric Swenson
(c) 2012 Lisa Swenson (photos not noted as photographer)
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