I could smell the smoke as I opened the front door for this hike, but I didn’t think much of it. The Lake Fire was still burning with less than 30% containment nearby. I was intent on getting in some photos at the top of my favorite hill in the Haskell Canyon Open Space, so I just ignored it. I leave the comfort of the street lights after 1.75 miles and have to turn on my headlamp for safety. It was at that moment the bright light against the darkness revealed the smoke particles. It looked like a tiny blizzard. I realized at that moment that I probably shouldn’t have taken the hike. And I probably shouldn’t have continued up the hill, but the lure of early morning light through the smoke was just too great. It cast an eerie pinkish-purple glow. Was it worth risking my lungs? Probably not. [ location ]

Jeff Turner

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