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20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Moonrise over the Bighorn Fire 6 Jun 2020

Lightning caused wildfire at the base of Bighorn Peak in the Catalina Mountains North of Tucson AZ on 5 June spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions. This photo taken at 9:40 PM on June 6th as the full moon rose between Bighorn Mountain (Right peak) and Table Top Peak (Left Peak) presented an eerie glow to the fires raging and glowing embers in the mountains. Foothills homes threatened by the fires are in the foreground. The fires continued to burn for 30 days with over 50% of the Catalina Mountains affected by the fire. Fortunately, the majority of the Bighorn sheep survived by migrating to the Pusch Ridge Peak that was spared by the fires.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Oro Valley (32deg 24min 54 sec N by 110deg 58min 30 sec W), Ar, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Copyright: © Wallace Van Winkle