Day 176: King Fire in El Dorado County

Over the past few days, the air quality here in Sacramento has been very poor due to the large wildfire in El Dorado County, which started earlier in the week.  The fire has burned over 80,000 acres, and the smoke effects are felt in a wide swath around the area:  The fire’s biggest impact away from the burned area is the heavy smoke that’s settled over much of the southern Sacramento Valley and the northern and central Sierra and foothills.

On Thursday, the Sacramento Bee morning edition showed a headline that a man had been identified and arrested on suspicion of arson for this horrible fire.  I truly can't fathom what could possibly motivate someone to do such a horrible thing.

Below are some of the striking and sobering images of the flames, smoke, and devastation.  The firefighters working to contain this fire, save lives, and protect structure deserve so much gratitude and admiration and respect.

Ironically, the effects of the smoke on the sky here in Sacramento are eerily beautiful, as if all of the light is being filtered through a strong amber filter.