While driving back to Portland from eastern Oregon yesterday, I passed the wildfire at the Warm Springs Reservation. I snapped the shot below while stuck in a construction delay three miles away. People around me were getting out of their RVs to stare through binoculars. Helicopters passed overhead with packs of water hanging precariously from thin wires.

I'd be lying to say I wasn't doing the same, sans RV + binoculars. Was it wrong of us to gawk while attempting to make up for it by glumly shaking our heads? I'm not sure. The fire is 35% contained and nearby homes may soon be evacuated.

Yikes.