The Taylor Bridge Wildfire | Three days of coverage

It was just one of those times. Calls started going out, texts flew around and my phone started buzzing. I left one spot news assignment at the end of my shift, thinking I would be headed out to a miniature brushfire. Long story short: that was not the case. What began as a 5,000-acre wildfire quickly spread to a blaze of historical breadth for Washington over the course of a week. The following images were made in the first, second and third days of the event. Big props to my co-workers at The Seattle Times - especially Bettina Hansen and Ken Lambert - who operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the disaster. Images from our team ran nationwide in almost every major newspaper and wire service. Donations are still being accepted, and I urge you to take part in helping those who lost their homes and land to get back on their feet through an outlet of your choice.

John Shea watches a wildfire consume the grounds around a friend's ranch Monday, August 13, 2012, near Cle Elum, Wash. Shea heard the news, knew his friend was at work, and rushed over to his home to rescue livestock. By 8 PM, the fire had consumed over 2800 acres of land and residents from all over the county were in the process of being evacuated.

A wildfire rages Monday, August 13, 2012, near Cle Elum, Wash. By 8 PM, the fire had consumed over 2800 acres of land and residents from all over the county were in the process of being evacuated.

A member of the Department of Natural Resources prepares to charge into a patch of flaming land to help extinguish the blaze of a massive wildfire Monday, August 13, 2012, near Cle Elum, Wash. By 8 PM, the fire had consumed over 2800 acres of land and residents from all over the county were in the process of being evacuated.

Cloud of black smoke pass through the blades of turbines at a wind farm on the second day of the Taylor Bridge Fire Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in near Cle Elum, Wash.

In the early morning light, smoke drifts from a slice of elevated land on the third day of the Taylor Bridge Fire Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2012, as seen from downtown Cle Elum, Wash. Over 60 homes were ravaged by the blaze in the first two days and a state of emergency was declared.

Firefighter Charlie Gnegy, left, helps to carry a tent out of a misty field before heading out on duty for the third day of the Taylor Bridge Fire Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Cle Elum, Wash. Over 60 homes were ravaged by the blaze in the first two days and a state of emergency was declared.