While on assignment for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin I covered this four-alarm standing wheat fire which also partially destroyed a vineyard. The temperature on Friday, July 29, 2022, exceeded 105 degrees with strong winds, which made standing on the side of the road for over an hour photographing this fire a challenge. For safety reasons this was shot with a Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens (this is an Amazon affiliate link) from  1/2 mile away to stay clear of emergency vehicles and out of harm's way from the fire itself. 

To read the story and see photos from the U-B's chief photographer please visit:

Firefighters contain massive wheat fire north of Walla Walla

A "firenado" can be seen in the lower left of the smoke column just above a farmstead.

A tractor plowing a fire line ahead of a massive dark cloud of smoke.

Standing wheat burns in a wall of massive flames. Tractors work together to disc the standing wheat for fire lines.

Multiple images were stitched together for a panoramic photo showing the massive wall of smoke and flames.

Crews spray water on flames as the fire reaches Lower Waitsburg Road.

Flames create a menacing shape resembling the gaping mouth of a fire monster. Another tractor arrives to help plow fire lines near a farmstead.

A massive tractor gives scale to massive flames. 

Flames and smoke appear to surround a tractor as it cuts a fire line.

Fire trucks and crew work in tandem to douse flames. Crews work a scarred landscape putting out hot spots.

To read the story and see photos from the U-B's chief photographer please visit:

Firefighters contain massive wheat fire north of Walla Walla