![Mountains cast sunset shadows on the smoky skies Mountains cast sunset shadows on the smoky skies](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50252220786_09f93e2db8_k.jpg)
A pretty cool capture but, of course, the conditions that made it cool are not.
Much of summer here in Colorado was exceedingly dry and over the past few weeks, nary a drop of rain has fallen. Topping it off, we have been seeing record-setting heat. Those conditions set the stage for wildfires in the high country.
As of right now, we have four major blazes going, one of which is now the second largest in state history and will likely take over the number one spot before it is out. It is sad to see so much of our precious forests burnt but, the smoke from them has created some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets.
Last weekend I closed out the day northeast of Denver, watching the setting sun. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky but as the sun went below the horizon, the mountains cast shadows onto the smoke while the sky was blaze orange. A neat scene, a sad reason for it.