Poinsettia Fire - Carlsbad

[Chris Dodkin]

This fire was way to close for comfort, but now that the smoke has cleared, it's amazing to see how near the fire came to so many buildings, and what a superb job our firefighters did in keeping those buildings from burning.

The fire raced West, up the canyons, through the tinder try brush - it hopped 4 lane roads with ease, and scorched some 600 acres.

What's left is eerie, barren and dusty - with the screeching of distant smoke alarms from burned-out homes, echoing over the desolate landscape.

(Click on any image for a larger version)


Looking East from El Camino Real


Looking North-East from El Camino Real


Fried Succulents - Looking East from El Camino Real


North up El Camino Real


Fire Line - El Camino Real


Destroyed Home - Poinsettia Ln


North Side of Poinsettia Ln


Ridge-line - N of Poinsettia Ln


Tree Line - N of Poinsettia Ln


Burned Tree - Poinsettia Ln


Destroyed Industrial Building - South of Palomar Airport Rd


All shots X-T1 and 10-24mm Lens - Velvia film profile.

Flickr image album here

 

[Brian Moore]

Great series, Chris. Shame about the homes lost/people displaced and, I understand, one life lost. They're thinking it was arson now?

 

[Tom Dunne]

Brilliant set of images that gives us a great visual report on the aftermath of the fires.
Is everything under control now Chris?

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Excellent Chris, love the tones and colours of the images. You have brought alive the reality of these bush fires and from these, I for one can see how brutal and scary fire can be when out of control. Sad to here someone lost a life.

 

[Pete Askew]

Wonderful set Chris and a fascinating documentary on the aftermath of the fire.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks everyone

Everything is quiet now on this fire - waiting to hear what the cause was. Could be someone throwing away a cigar butt on the golf course!

They did find a body in a canyon, thought to be a homeless person - but they are unsure if the fire killed them

Schools re-open today - Aviara Oaks had the closest shave, the fire burned right up to their fence, and was stopped my the firefighters

On shots 2 and 4 you can see how the defensible space idea helped save buildings - they plant succulent ground cover out 100ft from buildings to act as a fire break - it really works

 

[Aldous Lau]

Great series Chris

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Breathtaking series of such a tremendous ordeal, very good work of high class documentation. Sad though with all this devastation.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Great series Chris

Thanks Aldus

Breathtaking series of such a tremendous ordeal, very good work of high class documentation. Sad though with all this devastation.

Much appreciated Ivar