What I learned from the Western Pines Fire

When I first saw the smoke rise over the hills on Wednesday, July 9, I was driving home from Cheney. Within minutes, Fire Watch confirmed what my gut already told me - it was growing fast. I dropped Winnie off at home, changed into my field gear, and got out there.

For three straight days, I documented as much as I could. From Cayuse Cove to Western Pines Road, from the destruction at Moccasin Bay to the cliffs above Seven Bays. I walked through scorched fields, down roads where the fire had jumped with the wind, and stood with crews who were holding the line between fire and what was left to...