Lindsey Wasson, an AP staff photographer since 2023, has documented significant events, including the Olympics and a World Cup. She also covers news and assignments in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, like the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. Recently, she captured an extraordinary image in Spokane, Washington, during a historic wildfire season.
Washington’s Wildfire Crisis
Washington state has faced a historic wildfire season. The Old Trails Fire in northwest Spokane, the state’s second-largest city, devastated several neighborhoods on August 1. Hundreds of structures were destroyed. Wasson was sent across the state to begin capturing images on August 3, as residents began to return.
Challenges in Disaster Photography
Accessing disaster-stricken areas is often difficult. Police may establish or extend roadblocks at any moment. Wasson started early in a neighborhood identified by Spokane freelancer Young Kwak. Although under a Level 3 evacuation order, only utility workers were stationed at blocked roads, allowing her to enter on foot.
After an hour and a half of documenting the devastation, Wasson encountered Miriam and Daniel Sim. They were speaking with a neighbor near the edge of the burned zone, debating whether to enter and see their home. The Sims kindly permitted Wasson to accompany them as they walked towards their home.
Miriam showed emotion as she saw the destroyed streets. Wasson maintained a respectful distance while capturing the scene, allowing Miriam to converse on the phone with a loved one. This striking image was taken as they descended West Tiffany Avenue, realizing every house was gone.
Technical Details of the Photograph
The photograph was taken with a Sony A1 camera and a 16-35mm lens at f/4.5. Miriam’s clean, white outfit stood out dramatically against the surrounding destruction. Although basic photography guidelines suggest avoiding centering the subject, Wasson felt the symmetry of the sidewalk and Miriam’s solitary figure warranted it.
Initially, Wasson tagged a photo where Miriam covered her face. However, she found this image more powerful. Miriam simply absorbed the scene and reacted to losing the neighborhood she had lived in for over 20 years.
The Human Impact
“It’s like a war zone… there’s nothing to save,” Miriam Sim shared about the devastation. She worked as a nurse in the Philippines before moving to America in the ’90s. Her husband, Daniel Sim, is a doctor. The couple had lived in their cul-de-sac since 2005.
Daniel questioned whether they wanted to rebuild at their age. In covering disasters, the human impact and emotional toll are essential to highlight alongside the destruction’s scale.