Wildfire smoke in tress of yellowstone

Wildfire Smoke and Nature Photography

Author: David Kingham

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Time to read 3 min

Introduction

Wildfires are once again blazing across the Western United States and Canada, regions many consider the Mecca of nature photography. Climate change is the primary driving force behind these devastating fires, creating a new reality we must unfortunately learn to navigate. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to predict wildfire smoke, use it to your advantage in photography, and recognize when it might ruin your outdoor shooting plans.

When Smoke Ruins Your Plans

Before delving into photography techniques, we must acknowledge the tragedy affecting those who have lost homes or face threats from wildfires. This article focuses on how smoke impacts our photography - a less critical but still relevant concern for many nature enthusiasts.

Night Photography

For astrophotographers planning to capture the Milky Way or Aurora Borealis, smoke can be particularly problematic. Dense smoke can obscure the night sky, creating a brown haze that renders images nearly unusable. Always check smoke forecasts before embarking on a night photography expedition.

Corona arch milky way with wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke covering up the milky way at Corona Arch in Moab, Utah

Landscape Photography

While smoke can occasionally create compelling images, it typically mars beautiful landscapes with an apocalyptic brown haze. The red sun glowing through smoke might be visually striking, but for many, it now carries negative connotations due to the harsh realities of wildfires.

Air Quality Concerns

When wildfire smoke is present, air quality can rapidly deteriorate to unhealthy levels. This is especially important for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. To monitor air quality:

  • Use AirNow for real-time air quality data across the US.
  • If the Air Quality Index (AQI) is in the red zone (unhealthy), consider wearing an N95 mask for extended outdoor activities like hiking and photography.
air quality map
AirNow Screenshot with Smoke and Air Quality Layers

Predicting and Avoiding Smoke

Utilizing Smoke Maps

AirNow also offers a smoke layer map, which is easier to interpret when you disable the air quality monitor layer. This map helps visualize smoke density:

  • Light grey areas: Slight haze, generally not a major concern.
  • Dark grey areas: Dense smoke, consider rescheduling your trip.
AirNow Smoke Map
AirNow Screenshot with Smoke and Active Fire Layers

Predicting Smoke

A valuable tool for smoke prediction is the NOAA Smoke Forecast. This tool provides a model prediction of smoke conditions for the next 12-18 hours. While this doesn't allow for long-term planning, it's a useful short-term forecasting tool. However, keep in mind that even within 12 hours, actual conditions can vary significantly from the forecast due to the many variables involved.


NOAA Smoke Forecast
NOAA Smoke Forecast

How to Use the NOAA Smoke Forecast

  • When you first open the site, you'll see a blank map. Start by turning on the "Surface Smoke" layer. This will populate the map with smoke forecast data. There are two different Surface Smoke layers available:
    • One under "RAP" (Rapid Refresh)
    • Another under "HRRR" (High-Resolution Rapid Refresh)
      The HRRR model is generally more accurate but only covers the continental US, while the RAP covers all of North America. The HRRR allows you to see the forecast out to 12 hours, whereas the RAP extends to 18 hours. Both models are updated hourly.
  • At the bottom of the page, you'll find a time scale with controls to view different times. By default, this is displayed in Zulu time. To change this to your local time, simply click the area where the time is displayed.
  • It's important to note that when the site loads, it defaults to the latest predicted model time, not the current time. What you're seeing is the prediction for later in the day or tomorrow. To see the current time, you must drag the slider back to the beginning.

Embracing Smoke in Your Photography

While smoke presents challenges, it also offers unique photographic opportunities:

Intimate Landscapes

Focus on smaller scenes where the warm glow of filtered light can enhance your composition. Experiment with excluding the sky to avoid evoking negative emotions associated with visibly smoky conditions, although including the sky can work at times.

Trees in mist at Yellowstone
Steam colored by warm wildfire smoke by David Kingham
Trees in smoke
Fog colored by warm wildfire smoke by David Kingham
river with mist lit up from the sun through smoke
Wildfire smoke gives color to the mist at Brink of the Upper Falls in Yellowstone National Park

Creating Fine Art Projects

Consider developing a photo series that showcases beauty amid adversity. Such projects can tell compelling stories when presented thoughtfully. For inspiration, check out Matt Lancaster's project "End of Days" in the Project Critique section of Nature Photographers Network.

Wildfire landscape trees
"End of Days" project by Matt Lancaster

Important Note on Drone Usage

It's critical to remember that flying drones near active wildfires is strictly prohibited. Firefighting aircraft operate at very low altitudes, and the presence of drones in the area can force these vital operations to be grounded. This not only hampers firefighting efforts but can also put lives at risk. Always check local regulations and fire status before flying your drone, and never fly near active fire zones.

Conclusion

As nature photographers, we must adapt to changing environmental conditions, including the increasing prevalence of wildfire smoke. By understanding how to predict, avoid, and sometimes utilize smoke in our images, we can continue to create meaningful work while prioritizing our health and safety.


Remember, always stay informed about local fire conditions and follow evacuation orders when issued. Your safety should always be the top priority.



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