Heidi: Being Based Near Yosemite National Park for Over Two Decades, how did the rim fire change your personal on today’s wildfires?
Tracy: This was my first intimate experience with wildfire, as a photojournalist and as someone directly impacted by the fire. Our neighborhood was asked to evacuate, but I returned home ed night to a smoky home, where I watched from my kitchen window as flames encroached into our communication. I observed national and international media materialize into and out of our Rural, Gateway Community, Bringing with Them Certain Ideas and Prejudices, many of whom Had almost No Experience in a wildfire Landscape. I witnessed fear and uncertainty in the region, especially in the early stages, which brought about a lot of miss-information. I listened to many monday morning Quarterbacks. With Each New Large Fire, I Cringe when I see Similar Behavors. Here’s what i Learned to be true – The Firefighting Personnel (Firefighters, Dozer Drivers, Sawyers, Air Attack, Water Tenders, Incident Commanders, Etc.) Protect people and property. All of this informs the work I generate with each new fire. At the time, the fire was the third largest in the state: It burned 400+ square miles. Given what the state has experienced since then, it now seems almost quant.
How did the public information officers impact your understanding of how to safly document fires?
I open the rim fire pios a world of Gratitude. I spent many days on the fire line with them, often 1-1, and they gave me the tools to walk confidently, knowledgeable into a wildfire. They also taught me about chain of command, and most importantly, they encouraged me to take the US forest service basic 32 (it’s now called basic 40). The following spring, I took the course, training with folks who went on to become firefighters. The course gave me an undersrstanding of how fire burns in different conditions, as well as what it’s like to be on the ground as a firefighter. All of it, the pios, the courses – informed the work I create and how I create.
In your mind, how have social media impacted the natural wonder of the firefall, if at all?
Once the American Flag Unfurled from the Top of El Cap, how did the crowd react to the protest during firefall?
There wasn’t any one big unfurling moment, so there wasn’t a collective gasp or anything from the crowd. There was mixed reactions on the ground as the flag became more visible. I heard a lot of different Chatter as I Moved Around Gathered to Watch Firefall:
“Is that a Puerto Rican Flag? Do they realize the flag is upset down? Are those trump supporters up there? Oh, I wonder if this is a protest? If this is a protest in support of the park, then I am all for it. I don’t appreciate it – no hand of man. I don’t think it should be there. “
Did you undersrstand this as a historical moment considering the threats to our public lands and thats who care for them?
Did other news agencies inquiry about using this photo?
Have you navigated usage and copyright infringement before?
How has been part of women photo supported your career thus far?
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