Hot spots flare up near a rock formation as the Pole Creek Fire burns Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, near Nebo Loop Road in northern Juab County. Started by a lightning strike on Sept. 6, the Pole Creek Fire had burned an estimated 400 acres by Sept. 12, and grew to approximately 20,000 acres by the end of the following day.

September may have been the most hectic month I've experienced while at the Daily Herald.

For good reason - so much happened last month. Two wildfires threatened to burned over 120,000 acres and threatened to destroy two cities in southern Utah County, Brigham Young University football started up (and the team rose to No. 25 then No. 20 nationally), high school sports have been well underway and FanX (which is essentially Utah's Comic Con) came through Salt Lake City, among other things.

My boss Evan sent me out to photograph the then slowly-growing Pole Creek Fire on a Wednesday when it had burned 400 acres on the edge of southern Utah County. The wildfire had hovered around 75 acres for a few days and only began to pick up slowly the day I ventured along the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway. I had recently finished photographing another wildfire – the Cole Hollow Fire (for a Monday Close-Up I did on ranchers rescuing cattle from that fire, look here: provodh.com/qmsqm ) – and we had no idea if this new fire would amount to anything.

Things began to dramatically change fast the next morning. The fire jumped from 400 acres to more than 4,000 acres by 9 a.m. and exploded to roughly 20,000 acres by the end of the day. Two cities were evacuated on Sept. 13 along with rural communities as the wildfire (which joined with another, smaller wildfire) came within half a mile of homes at one point. The Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires were listed as the No. 1 priority wildfires in the country at one point. Strong winds and dry weather caused the wildfire to eventually burn 120,500 acres - and the fires are still burning today (although the blazes are 76% and 65% contained). Residents of the two evacuated cities were able to return home on Sept. 22, however were warned that they could be re-evacuated if the wildfires once again endanger homes. The image above and the 12 following below are an edit from my time covering the wildfires. To see a timeline of the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires, look here: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/timeline-a-look-at-the-progression-of-the-pole-creek/article_8429dd2c-41f1-5952-9df4-ea1d60776522.html.

For the nine days the wildfires spread throughout southern Utah County, myself and my boss, Evan, were essentially doing around-the-clock coverage of the fire. Whenever we had a free moment, we were down near the fires. We both still had to find time to cover other stories, but thankfully the Daily Herald threw itself into covering the fires in a big way. Practically everyone on the staff contributed to coverage, and many hours of overtime were incurred. However, the most rewarding part of the coverage for me personally was hearing from several different locals about how happy they were the Daily Herald was providing numerous updates on the wildfires. It was truly an amazing feeling – among the best I've felt in my time working as a photojournalist – to provide coverage that genuinely helped keep people informed at a time of crisis. Throughout the newspaper's coverage I felt a deep sense of pride to work for a local newspaper, and I'm damn proud of the service the entire Daily Herald provided the people of Utah County.

Brandon Morgan, center, 17, loads items into a truck as his friend, Carter Wilkey, 16, of Payson, helps Morgan evacuate from his Elk Ridge home during a mandatory evacuation as the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires move toward homes Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Residents from rural homes and the neighboring city of Woodland Hills were also mandated to evacuate, causing roughly 5,305 people to be displaced from their homes.

Vehicles evacuate from Elk Ridge as the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires move toward homes Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. The next day, the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires were listed as the No. 1 priority wildfires nationwide, according to Jason Curry, public information officer for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Dale Woolsey, of Salem, hugs one of his horses evacuated due to the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds has opened its doors as a place to house livestock for those that have been evacuated from the wildfires.

A community member passes in front of a projected map of the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires during a community meeting Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Salem Hills High School. For several days, officials held two community meetings per day to brief residents with wildfire updates.

Smoke rises from the mountainside behind homes in Elk Ridge as the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires burn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. The two blazes came within half a mile of homes.

Lillie Jones, an evacuee from Woodland Hills, points out items as Zane Zobell, second from right, of Salem Hills High School student council, and other volunteers from the school's student government and football team help pick up the items at a donation center set up at 161 E. 400 N. in response to the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Salem.

Joshua Rohrbaugh, 12, of Payson, wears a bandanna to prevent smoke inhalation as he waits to help others at a donation center set up at 161 E. 400 N. in response to the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Salem. The Utah County Health Department issued an indefinite wildlife smoke advisory the previous day.

Wind turbines remain stationary as smoke from the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires clouds the air Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. The rural community in the Covered Bridge area of Spanish Fork that resides within the canyon was also evacuated on Sept. 13.

Tara Tuckett, a member of Salem Hills High School student government, is joined by fellow student leaders Isaac Barnum, right, and Zane Zobell as they set up supportive signs for those fighting the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at the roundabout in Woodland Hills. Wildfire officials set up a checkpoint at the roundabout.

Firefighters and other first responders stand for the national anthem as smoke from the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires rises on the mountainside before a game between the Spanish Fork Dons and the Salem Hills Skyhawks held Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Spanish Fork High School. Those fighting the wildfires were invited to be recognized by the community during the game.

David Whittekiend, of the U.S. Forest Service, addresses community members along with other officials after a public meeting concerning the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Salem Hills High School.

Lucas Anderson hands a box to his son, Matheus, 2, as their family moves some items back into their home Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Elk Ridge, Utah. Saturday morning, nine days after residents of Elk Ridge and Woodland Hills were mandated to evacuate their homes, the mandatory evacuation order was lifted and people began to return to their homes. However, both cities are still on pre-evacuation status. No homes were reported as destroyed.

Finn Bardsley, 4, of Provo, looks to high-five the team as they make their way into LaVell Edwards Stadium during the Cougar Walk as part of pregame festivities before Brigham Young University's football home opener against the University of California, Berkeley, on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi (90) blocks a field goal attempt, which was then recovered by the Cougars and run for several yards during a game between Brigham Young University and McNeese State University held Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

BYU fans unfurl a flag during Brigham Young University's home opener against the University of California, Berkeley, on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake talks with an official after officials ruled illegal touching on the Cougars on a punt return during Brigham Young University's home opener against the University of California, Berkeley, on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Dylan Collie (3) can't quite reel in a catch during Brigham Young University's home opener against the University of California, Berkeley, on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

BYU fans watch as officials deliberate after a play during Brigham Young University's home opener against the University of California, Berkeley, on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) stiff arms McNeese State Cowboys defensive back Darion Dunn (1) as Katoa runs the ball upfield during a game between Brigham Young University and McNeese State University held Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars Kaufusi brothers, from left, defensive lineman Corbin (90), linebacker Isaiah (53) and defensive lineman Devin (92) celebrate their win over McNeese State University on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The win was the first of the season for the Cougars at home, and improved their season record to 3-1 as well as earning them the No. 20 spot in the FBS.

Ben Gates, of Bountiful and dressed as Josuke from "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", checks his hair after exiting a car before the opening day of FanX: Salt Lake Comic Convention held Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

The "Morty Town Locos" including, from left, Tondra Robinson, Cozette Stoddard and her husband Luke, all of Murray and dressed as Morty from the "Rick and Morty" series, walk around the convention hall floor during the opening day of FanX: Salt Lake Comic Convention held Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

Sarah Lilly, of Houston,Texas, and dressed as the Joker from the "Batman" series, poses for a portrait during the opening day of FanX: Salt Lake Comic Convention held Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

Will King, of Springville and dressed as Bob Ross, prepares paints as he invites attendees to help paint a canvas during the opening day of FanX: Salt Lake Comic Convention held Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

A micro hydro turbine and generator is pictured Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, at the new Olmsted Hydroelectric Plant near the mouth of Provo Canyon in Orem.

Timpanogos middle blocker Laura Vance (6) makes a block beside outside hitter Rachel Bingham (7) during a game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Timpanogos Timberwolves held Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Skyridge High School in Lehi.

Provo wide receiver Matthew Tubbs (34) listens to coaches speak before a game between the Provo Bulldogs and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, at Provo High School.

Spanish Fork wide receiver Dallas Eyere (22) holds the ball up after completing a touchdown reception while guarded by Salem Hills free safety Reed Johnson (1) during a game between the Spanish Fork Dons and the Salem Hills Skyhawks held Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Spanish Fork High School.

Skyridge outside hitter Naomi Pulu (27) and outside hitter Julina Tusieseina (12) talk to each other on the bench during a game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Timpanogos Timberwolves held Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Skyridge High School in Lehi.

Timpanogos' Jaislyn Branin (21) hugs Megan Unbedacht (8) after Branin's goal tied the game between the Timpanogos Timberwolves and the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles held Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at Timpanogos High School. The Timberwolves defeated the Golden Eagles 4-3.