Michael Elenko - 2020 Evans Canyon Fire Aftermath

2020 Evans Canyon Fire Aftermath

During the summer of 2020, the state of Washington suffered numerous wildfires. The Evans Canyon Fire started on Aug 31st and lasted close to two weeks, consuming over 75,000 acres between Yakima and Ellensburg. The fire ravaged areas that I knew well: Umtanum Creek Falls and the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

The trail to Umtanum Creek Falls I’ve hiked and photographed numerous times, starting when my now-adult kids were small. The trail enters a fall, follows the creek, and then continues to a basin where the waterfalls plunge downward. Along the way are aspen trees, grasses, dry-side (eastern Washington) wildflowers, and many birds.

In mid-October of 2020, I embarked upon a week-long photography trip in eastern and central Washington. While I was aware that this fire happened, I was hoping that these special places were spared. For the first 18 miles of the gravel road I was feeling optimistic, but then I rounded a curve, and the destruction and accompanying smells of scarred earth were in my face. It was disheartening.

With dusk approaching, I hit the trail—the fire had charred the trailhead. but it was passible. And I quickly discovered that the photography was remarkable.

I walked into an uncommon situation where I had to manage deeply contradictory emotions simultaneously. I felt a sense of awe at the scale of this fire, and a deep sadness in experiencing its consequences—I knew what this place was. But the stark textures of the areas the fire had passed through were striking and the colors were most unusual.

Fires like this can be very erratic in movement and consequences. Some trees were totally spared; other were not. The fire had desiccated many aspen trees, preserving their leaves in a crisp amber tone. At first glance, you would have thought that this was a normal autumn scene—until you looked a few yards over to the aspens that were untouched, their leaves the bright yellow and faded greens expected in autumn.

It all made for some fascinating photography and a humbling experience.