Near Sisters, Oregon

Lightning strikes ignited two massive forest fires near Sisters, Oregon in 2003. By the time the fires were out, they had devastated 19,000 acres of forest. The area is still recovering. Today I went as far as Sherman Camp, on the Metolius River, and I saw that nearly a decade later, the area still looks blasted, though there are signs of regeneration. The peak in the background is Mt. Washington (nearly 8000 feet). Meanwhile this year's fire not far away is now 80% contained, but the smoke from this year's fire partially obscures the landscape, and travelers are not yet allowed into the fire area.

The smoke still makes for glorious sunsets, one of which I enjoyed on my way home. More pictures from today are here.