elk ridge

Sandbags have replaced the fire trucks in Brent Hirz's neighborhood, and he waits each day to see how much rain will fall. It's not a scenario he imagined in the early afternoon on Sept. 13, when he got a pre-recorded phone call from Elk Ridge City telling him the town was being put on a pre-evacuation warning. It said to prepare in case a mandatory evacuation became necessary.

Residents of Woodland Hills worked throughout the day filling and placing sandbags. (John Wallace)

A helicopter flies towards the Pole Creek fire and Bald Mountain fire to offer air support. As of Sept. 17, the two fires cover approximately 83,000 acres of land. (Ty Mullen)

Nesha Woodhouse, artistic director at Lifehouse Performing Arts Academy. (Nesha Woodhouse)