Everyone is well aware of the devastating wildfires that have hit the western United States in recent weeks. Here in Colorado, we have had five major blazes, two of which have entered the record books as some of the largest in state history (one being the largest now).

The smoke from the blazes has oftentimes blanketed us in a red / orange haze with the smoke and smell carrying far from the fires. We did receive a much-needed bit of snow this past week and that has settled the fires down some. However, warm, dry weather returns this week and that is worrisome.

Taken last weekend, I sure hope this pic is one of the last “smoky sunrise” shots I take for a long while. I fear though that may not be the case.

Taken one week ago when the smoke from wildfires in Colorado seemed to be at its height. Stepping outside that morning, the smell of the smoke was unmistakable and the sky thick with haze.

As the sun crested over the rugged terrain to the east, by this time on a normal morning it would have been very bright, the skies blue. That, as you can see, was not the case at all.

The landscape was instead bathed in an eerie orange and red light that was far more subdued in intensity than what it normally would be. Certainly we would prefer not to have the fires and the smoke but they do make for some interesting scenes.