Cottonwood leaves swirling in the Merced River, Yosemite NP, CA, USA
Our country has endured so many disasters lately. The recent fires in California have been devastating – especially the Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise. My mom lived in Paradise for eight years, and although I haven’t been there in decades, I remember the area well. I wonder whether any of her friends were still there. I’m sure her old house was destroyed; I just hope whoever was living there got out safely.
At least two members of our landscape-photography community lived in Paradise and lost nearly everything in the fire: Cindy Hoover and Erin Babnick. Please consider helping them out by contributing to the GoFundMe campaigns that have been set up for them: Cindy’s here, and Erin’s here.
There are many other ways to help; here are a couple of local organizations that need contributions. You can send monetary contributions to the North Valley Community Foundation, and gift cards can be immensely helpful to people who need clothing and other basic necessities, so if you have any unused gift cards you’d like to donate you can send them here:
Bidwell Presbyterian Church
208 W. 1st St,
Chico, CA
95928
It’s hard to think about posting pretty pictures when so many people have suffered such heartbreaking losses, but then I know that nature photographs can provide solace and comfort in stressful times, so I’ve included the photograph above in that spirit.
Rain is finally in the forecast for much of California this coming week. Welcome news!
— Michael Frye
Related Post: Rebirth
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the links and info on where to send help.
And thanks for posting the picture and the thoughts behind posting it.
You’re welcome Doug.
Thank you for posting this particular one. I too knew people who had lived in Paradise. My ex and I almost bought a house there years ago but no work really. I have donated to a couple places for these people but your title and the photo itself helped me in a much different way. Tomorrow would have been our 29th anniversary and for some reason this year was harder then the first he was gone. But ”Coping Stratagies” is indeed what we both saw in nature during down times. I hope the rains come in gentle fashion and not gully washers. Just when you think everything that can burn has it starts all over, bigger.
You’re welcome Dawn. Unfortunately there are many places in California that haven’t burned in a long time.
Many thanks for this post, Michael. The fires are just terrible and it’s heartbreaking to see so many people lose everything they have. My nephew and his family live in Magalia, above Paradise, but thankfully their house was spared—most of the houses around them burned. They have many good friends that have lost their homes. My nephew’s wife works for a veterinary in Chico and she’s been spending a lot of her time helping to rescue animals in the fire zone.
I made a donation to both Erin and Cindy. Previously, I made donations to the North Valley Community Foundation and some other groups that are helping people and animals effected by the fire. Other than prayers, I’m afraid monetary donations are the best I can do, since I’m so far away. I spent five years in college at Chico State and the whole area is very dear to me. I wish I could be there to volunteer.
I hope the fire is contained soon, but it will take a long time before the people this fire touched will be healed. Thanks again, Michael; also for the lovely photo.
Bob, I’m glad to hear that your nephew and family didn’t lose their house. It’s really sad how many people did lose their houses, and worse, lost their lives. Thank you for doing what you can to help.