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For over a decade, photographer Noah Berger has been on the front lines, documenting the destructive path of California’s wildfires. His extensive experience allows him to work in extreme conditions, often navigating the unpredictable and rapidly escalating nature of these disasters. On July 25, Berger was photographing the Park Fire, which eventually grew into California’s second-largest single-ignition wildfire, consuming over 429,000 acres.
“I photographed this fox, fleeing fast-approaching flames, as the Park Fire raced into a mountaintop community near Chico, California,” Berger shares. The fire, driven by wind and dry conditions, created a towering column of smoke that spiraled ominously as it advanced up the hillside. Berger describes the situation as especially dangerous due to the erratic fire growth, making it difficult to predict the fire’s movements.
Though his primary mission was to capture the human evacuation, it was the sight of the fox fleeing from the approaching flames that left a lasting impact. The animal’s frantic escape presented a powerful visual of nature’s instinct for survival in the face of overwhelming destruction. Berger was able to snap a fleeting shot, but the fox’s speed made many of his attempts blurred or out of focus.
“Many readers thought the fox was running through flames, but the grass is actually tinted orange by flames across the street, not on fire yet,” Berger explains. The fire’s rapid spread was fueled by embers, which ignited nearby vegetation. Shortly after taking the photograph, Berger found himself forced to take refuge in a small dirt parking area, surrounded by intense flames, emphasizing the perilous conditions wildfires impose on both the environment and those who capture their devastating power.
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