Nature Center talk about photographing wildfires set for Tuesday

Monday, February 19, 2018 at 12:43 pm

What is it like to photograph wildland fires and firefighters? Kristen Honig will discuss her observations, show her photographs, and give a behind the scenes look at what it is like to be a wildfire photographer at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Nature Center.

Honig’s wildfire photos have been recognized by National Geographic and featured in numerous magazines and publications, including Popular Science, Outside Magazine, High Country News, Wildland Firefighter Magazine, Fire Management Today, and in the novel “On the Burning Edge.”

This special presentation at the Los Alamos Nature Center is free and made possible thanks to the Los Alamos Photo Club and the Pajarito Environmental Education Center.

Los Alamos and the surrounding areas have been exposed to more than a half-dozen significant wildfires since 1977, including the 2000 Cerro Grande Fire that consumed more than 47,000 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 350 structures. The Cerro Grande Fire had a lasting impact on the community and inspired local photographer Honig to document not only the beauty and destructiveness of wildfires but also the sacrifices and camaraderie of the firefighters who battle them.

Join Honig to learn how she takes such “heated” images and what it is like to photograph these incredible events.

In the summer of 2002, Honig worked as a wildland firefighter for the National Park Service, where she gained invaluable experience working on the fireline and interfacing with Incident Management Teams. The following summer, she was awarded a federal contract as a wildfire photographer with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

Over the past 15 years, Honig has captured scenes from the front lines of more than a dozen wildfires throughout the western United States for the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and NIFC. By maintaining the same physical and training requirements as the firefighters on the line, she is afforded the unique opportunity to work alongside hotshot crews at the most active parts of the fire.

This special presentation will take place at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road. It is free to attend, and no registration is required. For more information programs, visit peecnature.org, email programs@peecnature.org or call 662-0460.

PEEC activities are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and merchandise.

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