I was on my way home last night from touring CAFOs all day. It was about 9 PM and somewhere on the road between Ames and Cedar Rapids on Hwy 30. I saw this huge red glow to the north. I jumped off the highway and chased the red dragon on dirt roads hoping I could find my way.
I managed to follow the glow to the exact field. Felt incredibly lucky. It was an amazing sight. The fire was on both sides of the gravel road but mostly burned out on the left side already…but that view to the right was WOW.
I grabbed my telephoto lens + tripod + Nikon and crossed my fingers for good luck. Then I lost my glasses. Have you ever tried to use your Nikon in the dark…and without your glasses? Good luck lol. Not a chance. Thank God another person pulled up next to me.
She had followed the glow all the way from Clutier. (So…maybe I was near Vining? I honestly have no idea. I wasn’t using a GPS or my phone) She got out her flashlight and helped me find my glasses. Totally saved the day.
A farmer in a side by side rolled up once the fire calmed and we chatted. He was burning some of his CRP land with a prescribed burn. It was a glorious sight and a memorable night to cap a very informative day for the Iowa Prairie Documentary Project.
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