Edelson

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

It’s dangerous and beautiful. It creates its own light and can turn on you in an instant. I always enter a fire scene fully geared up with the same stuff firefighters wear for safety and have a huge amount of respect for what they do. These massive out-of-control wildfires used

to be rare, but they’ve been happening more frequently and are getting harder to control. Fires are one of my favorite things to cover, so I hope my passion for telling these visual stories is apparent through this set of images taken in the fire zone.

The Year in Pictures: 2017, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Terrifying footage shows California wildfire burning beneath bridge, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
La saison « tragique » des incendies se poursuit en Californie, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires still ‘growing faster than you can imagine’, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
36 heures en enfer – AFP – Making-of, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Editorial: Can’t let bureacracy ground important fire-fighting tool, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Photos: Northern California wild fire rages, burning 60,000 acres, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Western Wildfires Have Burned More Than 7 Million Acres This Year, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Last-Minute Deal Allows Utilities to Pass Along Costs of 2017 Fires, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
What Trump gets dangerously wrong about the wildfires (opinion), photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Infinity Instruments, Living room, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
‘My World Was Burning’: The North Bay Fires and What Went Wrong, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Firefighter, Marc Bashoor, Fire department, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Photos: Northern California wild fire rages, burning 60,000 acres, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
‘Huge orange ball of flames’: Entire town evacuated after massive fires, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
A year after Valley Fire, visions of Harbin Hot Springs’ new life, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Maren Morris, 2026 Met Gala, David McNew, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Local firefighters join in effort to quell Rocky fire, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Fire department, Fire engine, Firefighter, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Compact sport utility vehicle, Off-road vehicle, Off-roading, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Devastating California wildfires, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Light aircraft, Aerospace manufacturer, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
13000 Under Evacuation Orders as Rocky Fire Rages, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Off-road vehicle, Dirt road, Off-roading, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
San Bruno explosion pictures, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Why California’s Wildfires Won’t Be Getting Better Anytime Soon, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California Wildfires Drive Tens of Thousands From Their Homes, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Off-road vehicle, Off-roading, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Animals in the News, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Republic Records, Kid Krow, Universal Music Group, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Traffic sign, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfires scorch parched hillsides and destroy one home …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Marsupials, Computer mouse, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires scorch parched hillsides and destroy one home …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Photos of the Day: Sept. 27, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
TOPSHOT – Motorists drive past flames from the “Wall Fire” along…, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Flag of the United States, United States, American Revolution, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Thousands of Firefighters Confront Blazes Near Santa Barbara …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires, in pictures, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
What color is smoke?, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Aviation Nation, Air show, Quad City Air Show, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Air show, Aviation Nation, Quad City Air Show, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
C. J. Ramone, Man Man, Bass Guitar, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
What color is smoke?, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
After an anxious four-day wait, wildfire evacuees return to Mariposa, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Raging wildfires bring death and destruction to California’s wine …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California, Sports car, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Off-road vehicle, Off-roading, BMW M, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Flag of the United States, United States, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Los Angeles, Palisades Fire, January 2025 Southern California wildfires, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
General Sherman Tree, Alyssa Vinson, Giant sequoia, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Maren Morris, Paul Wall, United States, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Los Angeles, Conflagration, Firefighting, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Sport utility vehicle, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
homes are at risk from wildfires and climate change is making it worse, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Scorched earth: Aerial views of California wildfire aftermath, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Incendios asolan distintas ciudades del sureste de Australia, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
“Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz’s home burns down in Santa Rosa …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
List of wineries damaged in the Wine Country fires [Updates], photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Construction, Demolition, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Police cite drone operator, CHP warns against drone use in area of …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
PHOTOS: California wine country wildfires turn deadly, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Heaven turned hell, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Regan MacNeil, Supernatural, Paranormal, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires: The day Paradise burned down, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Silicon dioxide, Grain size, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires: The day Paradise burned down, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Firefighters gain ground on record-breaking Mendocino Complex …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Friday School Closures and Restrictions Announced for the Bay Area, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Carr Fire, Woolsey Fire, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfires still ‘growing faster than you can imagine’, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Mendocino Complex now 12 percent contained as California …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
The Largest, Deadliest and Most Destructive Fires in California History, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Helicopter, Helicopter rotor, Military helicopter, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Delta fire scorches 22,000 acres in Shasta County, forces …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Chico State cancels classes as Camp Fire rages near city limits, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Helicopter, Helicopter rotor, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
How Artificial Intelligence Is Helping to Fight Wildfires, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
$234 million sought as new wildfires wreak havoc on state, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
What is fog, and how does it form?, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
鏡泊湖景区, Talent Given, From the Woods Today, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Why California’s Fires are Bigger, Deadlier, and More Costly, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
How Gargoyles Became Monsters | Season 2, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Paradise under evacuation warning as California’s Park Fire rages, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires leave trail of destruction, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Last day in Paradise: the untold story of how a fire swallowed a town, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Climate Change Contributing to Weather Catastrophes ‘Right Now’, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
PG&E lost $2.6 billion in the second quarter off wildfires …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Automobile repair shop, Operating theater, Medical glove, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires: Fears of further damage as winds strengthen, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Construction, Project Management, Construction Management, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
The biggest stories of the decade, according to you, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Climate And Environment, Page 5 | FRONTLINE | PBS, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Carr Fire: What to Know About Deadly Redding, California Fire, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Camp Fire death toll rises to 48 in Northern California, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Millions Of Homes Are At Risk Of Wildfires, But It’s Rarely Disclosed, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Photographer captures devastation from the front lines of the Camp …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Butte County: 35 families sue PG&E for Camp Fire losses, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Dog lover, Dog training, American Standard Dog Training, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Tarpaulin, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Conflagration, Camp Fire, California, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Veterinarios atienden a animales que sufrieron quemaduras en los …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Domestic pig, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Pickup truck, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Sleepy Cat Yawning Big Cute Moment, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Carr Fire: What to Know About Deadly Redding, California Fire, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Labrador Retriever, Companion dog, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfires burn across state, in pictures, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
From the Woods Today, MinuteEarth, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Live: Deadly Carr Fire burns in California, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
BMW M, BMW M Coupé and Roadster, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
What color is smoke?, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Watch devastation left behind from wildfires in Paradise, California, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Paradise: Before and after the town’s wildfire destruction, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Camp Fire: Road closures and conditions in Butte County, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Philadelphia Freeway, Music video, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California Power Provider PG&E Files For Bankruptcy In Wake Of Wildfires, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Despite fire after fire, Paradise continued to boom, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Camp Fire, Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Strange thing fell from the sky when Chico resident went to look at …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Def Leppard, Bludgeon Riffola, Camp Fire, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Sports car, Utility vehicle, Range Rover Sport, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Colorado firefighters deploy to California to help battle raging wildfires, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Family car, Sports car, 2024 Lexus TX, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Charges filed after fire destroys Kimberly, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Camp Fire: Butte County sheriff releases names of 16 more victims, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Le paradis perdu – AFP – Making-of, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Flag of the United States, United States, American Revolution, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
84 Dead in California Wildfires, 870 Still Missing, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Rubble & Crew, HIBAPRESS جريدة هبة بريس الإلكترونية, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
A couple has found luck after Camp Fire, thanks to a coin, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Multiple killed as fires ravage California, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Camp Fire evacuee Kelly Boyer plays guitar in front of his tent next…, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Climate change makes wildfires in California more explosive, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Video captures moment California home explodes in wildfire, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
The Glass Fire in California burned 1 acre every five seconds as it …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Thunderstorm, giant hail, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
The burned remains of the Castello Di Amorosa winery are seen as …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Wildfires have pushed Napa Valley’s wine industry to the brink, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
National Hugging Day, Friendship, Pronunciation, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfires: firefighters stretched thin as blazes grow rapidly, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California’s wildfires explained: how did they start, and is this normal?, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
The Summer That Changed California Forever, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Scope of California Wildfires Is Staggering, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Some of the most startling images of wildfires raging through …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Moc Fire Fully Contained, LNU And SCU Complexes Still Growing, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Wildfires Hasten Another Climate Crisis: Homeowners Who Can’t …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Lodgepole pine, Sitka spruce, Jack pine, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Monoplane wing Black and White Stock Photos & Images, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California’s ‘Apple Fire’, the wildfire in pictures, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Photography, Still life, Still life photography, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Massive ‘fire cloud’ generates its own weather over Hog Fire, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Castello Di Amorosa Owner On Glass Fire’s Devastating Blow To …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California, Conflagration, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Wildlife biologist, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
Onda de calor no Brasil: o efeito de temperaturas extremas …, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Gender Reveal Event Sparks 7,000-Acre California Wildfire, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Fighting wildfires from space: 50+ satellites to track wildfires worldwide, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Sulimov dog, Red wolf, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
The Year in Pictures: 2017, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California: A Decade in the Middle of the Inferno, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
California wildfires still ‘growing faster than you can imagine’, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
36 heures en enfer – AFP – Making-of, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Editorial: Can’t let bureacracy ground important fire-fighting tool, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Los Angeles house collapses as fires spread to Studio City, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Photos: Northern California wild fire rages, burning 60,000 acres, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
La saison « tragique » des incendies se poursuit en Californie, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Picture Frame, Infinity Instruments, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
California wildfire documentary photography by Josh Edelson, AFP photojournalist
Firefighter, Fire department, Tampa Fire Rescue, documentary photography by Josh Edelson/AFP
What Trump gets dangerously wrong about the wildfires (opinion), photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
‘My World Was Burning’: The North Bay Fires and What Went Wrong, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP
Western Wildfires Have Burned More Than 7 Million Acres This Year, photo by Josh Edelson/AFP