Wildfire flames are only a mile from my front door, but the photo opportunities are remarkable if you stay safe and sensible

Living in an area prone to wildfires, you know the dangers they pose. However, these natural disasters also provide a unique opportunity to capture remarkable images. I have resided in Logan Lake, a small western Canadian town, for 22 years, and have experienced numerous small fires, as well as two major ones. In 2021, the Tremont Creek fire burned 63.548 hectares of forest, and our town was evacuated.

The flames came within 1,000 feet of our home, but fortunately, no structures were lost due to the efforts of the firefighters.

When photographing wildfires, there are ground rules you must follow to ensure your safety and that of the wildland firefighters. Firstly, never get too close to the fire; it can be deadly. Secondly, avoid using flash, even fill flash, as it can distract pilots flying dangerously close to the ground. Lastly, refrain from using drones near a fire due to safety concerns.

Despite these precautions, there are still remarkable photo opportunities to be had. One such opportunity comes from observing wildfire smoke. The smoke can travel hundreds of miles, providing a stunning backdrop for your shots. For instance, I captured an image at 05:00 from a motel parking lot, with the air thick with wildfire smoke and the rising sun almost blocked.

Another striking photograph features the smoke from the Red Lake fire of 2021, taken just at sunset while walking to my neighbor's front yard to avoid including houses in the shot.

My journey into wildfire photography began in 2009 when I made the lead image for this article. While at a local horse club, we noticed a light plume of smoke in the distance. Upon discovering it was a car fire, we captured the scene as the Bird-Dog flew overhead, followed by a Conair S-2 Firecat dropping retardant. Despite being only 130 feet from the action, I managed to capture a sharp image of the pilot flipping switches on the panel above his head.

In May 2018, I encountered a lone helicopter putting out a small fire on Tunkwa Lake Road. Equipped with a belly tank, the helicopter flew between a pond and the fire, less than 1,000 feet away. After stopping, I captured the helicopter as it worked diligently to extinguish the flames.

Currently, an evacuation alert is in effect due to the Guichon Creek wildfire being less than 0.9 miles from my front door. Cars are packed with photos, essential documents, and keepsakes, and fuel tanks are full. Photographing the air tankers dropping retardant can be challenging due to heat haze and smoke, but it is a captivating sight nonetheless.

If you're fortunate enough to have access to the Air Tractor AT-802 converted crop dusters, you can head to a nearby lake to watch them skim the water and reload their tanks with 793 gallons of water in just 15 seconds. This spectacle is both visually stunning and safe, allowing you to get close without interfering with firefighters' efforts.