Idyllwild is one of our favorite places on earth and right before we were set for a weekend getaway there, an arsonist started a set of massive fires, and one that nearly destroyed the town. We had to push back our trip due to the fire, but when we were able to get up there, I had an idea for a shot if I could find the right location to get it. I was looking for a place with a noticeable burn scar next to healthy trees. A before and after, to show the devastation that can be caused by arson. What I really wanted was a winding road cutting through the middle with cars driving through, symbolizing the human element at play. Both cause and observer. I found the perfect spot for this shot on Highway 243, just south of town. I drove up the hill a bit and launched my drone from there so legal altitude of 300 feet was more like 1,000 feet by the time I was over my target area. Choosing the right time of day was also important as the long shadows give that feeling of life being brushed away.