As I have been posting lately, it has been very hot and dry here the past few weeks. We have a threat of thunderstorms for the next couple of days and the Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the state of Oregon because of the wildfire threat.
When we went out for our evening walk, we noticed a plume of smoke to our southeast. At times we were able to see flames. We found out that the fire is off on China Hat Road in southeast Bend. Here’s more information from the local news station (click here).
Fortunately, the winds are blowing the fire away from Bend at the moment and no structures are threatened.
One of the side effects of the smoke from the wildfires is beautiful sunsets. One of these photos is HDR of three exposures at 1 stop difference. It was taken just after sunset. The other is a single silhouette shot of the same place metering on the sky.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
Sunset silhouette is beautiful. Glad the fire is far from you!
Thanks, Carissa. The fire is about 8 miles southeast of us but traveling southeast. Hopefully the wind doesn’t change.
These fires are really causing havoc aren’t they… please be safe where you are… call in the planes if the fires get near you… that second last photo of the sunset is a total winner…and the silhouette is a master piece… great photos as usual… but then we have grown to expect that from you…
Thanks, Rob. So far, the fire is going away from us. We had a few drops of rain this morning and so far no thunderstorms. We can just keep our fingers crossed.
Always scary stuff. Be safe!
Thank you. We aren’t in any danger as long as it keeps going away from us, which it is right now.
Really great shots… 😉
Hopes the wildfire threat is under control now or will be soon – but you right the wildfire makes look great far away, close up it not fun at all – wildfire is a part of life many places worldwide every year – far from all man-made, but problematic when they hit inhabited areas… 😉
Beautiful and fearsome. I hope you stay safe and unthreatened and that the rains come soon and strong.
You are doing some wow things with your photography–way out of my league.
Thanks, Christine. We had a few drops of rain this morning and no thunderstorms yet. I’m hoping for some heavy rain.
The awesome beauty of Gaia is always offset by her immense power. Your photos are stunning, Blessings for safety!!!
That is a bit too close for comfort … hope for everyone’s sake that a good rain will come. How terrible. It make good pictures … especially the second last.
Thanks, Viveka. It seems they have the fire contained and its not a threat to any structures. But it’s still very hot and dry. Hopefully we’ll get some rain soon.
Obviously, I’m not “liking” the fire . . . but the pictures are nice.
As part of our own fire scare, we are now much better prepared to react to emergencies on short notice . . . just hoping we’ll never have to. As others have said, stay safe.
Thanks. It seems they have the fire close to us contained and we didn’t get the expected thunderstorms. But not much rain either – not enough to coat the sidewalk. Its back to hot and dry. We, too, will be making evacuation plans . . . just in case. Like you, we hope never to have to use it.
Fires are SO scary! Glad that no lives were threatened. I love the pics, especially the HDR sunset – it is gorgeous. 🙂
Thanks, Zelmare. We live in an area that is hot and dry during the summer so every year we have the threat of wildfire. This one seems to be under control now but there are several throughout the state that are still burning.
Wow your HDR sunset is beautiful.