On this day ten years ago

All day long I’ve sat at my desk, looking at a photo of lightning I took 10 years ago today.

I sat outside, after dark with my old Nikon, taking photo after photo, not knowing what would come out, it was only ASA 400 (the forerunner of ISO). I have a tag on it explaining about the photo. All day, I’ve thought about commemorating the day, but with the Carmel Valley Fire, and work … Then Stan sent me the link below to some incredible photos he shot, and that did it. Work can wait for 10 minutes more.

It was a magnificent light show. Dry lightning. It spawned the Kirk-Hare Fire (later called the Kirk Complex) which burned over 80,000 acres and lasted 3 months. My photo was film and all that remains is the small 3×5 photo I have.

However, if you’d like to see some outstanding shots by Stan Russell of the lightning that night, go to this link:
Stan Russell lightning shots

But for a real step back in time, visit Big Creek’s recount of the various fires complete with photos. This account appears to have been done by our own John Smiley, with help from stewart Feynner Arias. What a history lesson for those of us who only kept track of the basics. See the link below:

UCSC-Big Creek fire report