Night photography: Fire at New Idria Ghost Town

Burned pig farm at New Idria ghost town -- by Joe Reifer
Burned pig farm at New Idria ghost town -- by Joe Reifer

On July 28, 2010, a fire burned down 13 historic buildings in the historic ghost town of New Idria, California. Almost every structure on the north side of the main road was burned. The historic rotary furnace did not burn, and the structures in the hills on the south and west sides of town are OK. The fire is still being investigated. In a video taken one week after the fire,, former Idria resident Shirley Ward discusses the fire and  firefighters clean up the debris. A local resident  commented on another article and wrote a letter to the editor saying that scrappers probably set the fire.

During the August full moon I spent eight hours photographing the town -- a gallery of New Idria night photos is available on my website. Thanks to SW and RF for making the trip!

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Night photography: A train rumbles through Drawbridge

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Book review: Night photography: Finding your way in the dark