How a photographer centered one woman amid the destruction of a Spokane wildfire

On August 3, 2026, a wildfire struck the northern part of Spokane, Washington, leaving devastation in its wake. Miriam Sim, a 76-year-old resident of the town, was among those affected by the Old Trails Fire, which destroyed hundreds of structures in the city. Lindsey Wasson, a Seattle-based photographer for The Associated Press, was dispatched to the area the following day to document the aftermath as residents returned to their homes.

Access to the affected neighborhoods was challenging due to police roadblocks and evacuation orders. Wasson made an early start, driving across the state to reach the area. She teamed up with Young Kwak, a Spokane freelancer, who had found the neighborhood the previous day. Despite the evacuation order, only power company employees were managing the entrances to the closed roads in this particular spot, allowing Wasson to enter on foot.

After exploring the area for approximately an hour and a half, Wasson encountered Miriam Sim and her husband, Daniel, discussing whether they should walk through the burned zone to see their home. The Sim couple, understandably emotional, agreed to let Wasson follow them as they walked down the hill to their cul-de-sac to inspect the extent of the damage. The photographer took a respectful distance, allowing Miriam to speak on the phone with a loved one as she processed the devastation surrounding her.

Wasson captured this poignant moment using a Sony A1 camera and a 16-35mm lens set at f/4.5. The photograph showcases the empty streets of West Tiffany Avenue, where every house lay in ruins. This powerful image was taken as the Sim family began to take in the extent of the destruction in their neighborhood.