Fiery Autumn in Flagstaff

Flagstaff is in northern Arizona about 145 miles north of Phoenix on I-17

Many people visit or drive through Flagstaff on their way to the Grand Canyon

I was visiting friends in Flagstaff last October, and brought my camera along to head to the mountain and photograph the quaking aspen trees that were in full color. I noticed that the light was fading quickly in the forest, and began to hurry down a rocky trail I knew would take me out in the open where I had intended to photograph the sunset that day. When I arrived, I couldn't believe my eyes. The sky was covered with smoke from a fire being managed by the forest service that day, and the red and purple hues were magnificent. I set up my camera and tripod immediately and started shooting as fast as I could until I finally caught my breath and took in the broader view. I had just enough time to line up the shot so the prairie grasses and aspens in the distance were backlit by the setting sun, and finished my day hiking out in the dark.