California Burning

I’ve been covering wildfires in California for years, documenting how they’ve become a constant part of life here. I’ve photographed firefighters working through the night, families evacuating with only minutes to spare, and neighborhoods reduced to rubble.

This work is about showing what these fires look like up close, the destruction, the danger, and the people caught in the middle of it. California is burning more often and more intensely, and these photographs are my way of making sure that story is seen and understood.

A large wildfire burning in a forest with tall palm trees, glowing orange flames, and sparks flying through the air.
A woman wearing a mask and a festive blanket sitting on a bench at night, with a person in the background near emergency vehicle lights.
Firefighter battling a house blaze at night with flames and smoke in the background.
Crowd of people, including elderly and individuals in wheelchairs, gathered at night with police presence, near a 7-Eleven and AC's Thrift Store, with police lights illuminating the scene.
People assisting a woman in a wheelchair during a fire emergency at night, with emergency vehicles and flashing lights in the background.
A firefighter in yellow gear and a helmet spraying water on a vehicle fire in a car lot with multiple burning cars surrounding her and thick smoke in the background.
A house fire at night with flames visible through windows, burning a tall tree inside.
A firefighter in yellow protective gear helps a person to escape a building fire with bright orange flames and black smoke.
A house on fire with black smoke billowing from the roof, while a group of people, mostly young and wearing masks, stand outside watching. Some are hugging, others hold fire extinguishers, as emergency responders are nearby.
A man wearing a face mask walks past debris and damaged buildings after a disaster, with a smoky sky in the background.
Sunset over a beach with silhouettes of damaged trees, burnt cars, and debris in foreground.
A couple, one with a nose mask around their neck, standing close together and embracing while looking at a house destroyed by a fire, with smoke and flames in the background.
A landscape with a river flowing through terraced hills under a sky filled with dense, orange-illuminated smoke from a wildfire in the background.
A house on fire at night with flames and smoke engulfing the structure.
A person wearing a hat and a face covering is sitting at a forge, heating and shaping metal with a torch, surrounded by sparks and flames in a dark environment.
Sparks flying from a firework or sparkler at night, illuminating a road with a white fence along the side.
Two firefighters wearing protective gear and helmets fighting a house fire at night, with bright flames and sparks in the air.
A firefighter in yellow protective gear and helmet sprays water on a forest fire at night, with flames and smoke in the background.
Firefighters standing in front of a large wildfire with intense flames and smoke.
A firefighter in protective gear sprays water at a large house fire at night, with flames illuminating the background, charred trees, and smoke.
Firefighters battling a wildfire in a forest, with flames and smoke in the background, and a fire truck parked nearby.
An aircraft releasing red fire retardant over a forested hillside during a wildfire firefighting operation.
Zogg Fire California Wildfire photojournalism. Wildfire Photography. Photojournalist covering wildfires at night. Glow of fire. Destructive fires. Cal Fire. Landscape.
A person wearing protective gear, including a jacket and helmet, is using a metal rod to control or interact with a small fire at night.
North Complex California Wildfire photojournalism. Wildfire Photography. Photojournalist covering wildfires at night. Glow of fire. Destructive fires. Cal Fire. Inmate
Burned and destroyed cars in a forested area after a wildfire.
A forested area with burned trees and damaged ground, and a concrete pathway winding through the scene.
Nighttime scene with a small, burned-down house illuminated by a mysterious blue light, an American flag on a pole, and a bright full moon in the dark sky.
Two firefighters, wearing yellow protective gear and helmets, examining a small baby animal at night amidst a wildfire scene.
Two firefighters in yellow protective gear and helmets fighting a wildfire with a hose amid thick white smoke.
A large, red, partially obscured moon rising behind a forest of silhouetted trees at night.
An elderly man with gray hair sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle at night, looking into the distance. The moon is visible in the dark sky behind him.
A firefighter in protective gear and a person wearing a mask and holding a book in front of bright red emergency lights.
A firefighter in protective gear spraying water on a large house fire at night, with bright flames, smoke, and burning trees surrounding the scene.
A woman with a ponytail, dressed in a beige dress and sandals, standing on the side of a road at dusk, holding a large bag over her shoulder, with cars lined up in traffic behind her.
Two men in life jackets standing next to yellow and black Yamaha jet skis in water. A wildfire on a hillside in the background with smoke and flames.
Two children, a girl and a boy, sitting on chairs after a fire. The girl is looking away, and the boy is looking down. A large dog is sitting on the ground with its back against one of the children's legs. Burned vehicle and debris are visible in the