Lindsey Wasson, a Seattle-based staff photographer for The Associated Press since 2023, has captured numerous significant events, including two Olympics, a World Cup, and the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. Her recent work has focused on the historic wildfire season in Washington state.
Why This Photo?
The Old Trails Fire in northwest Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city, has wreaked havoc, consuming neighborhoods and destroying hundreds of structures as of August 1. Wasson was sent to Spokane on August 3 to document the aftermath as residents began returning home.
The Creation of the Photo
Access is always a hurdle after disasters, knowing roadblocks can appear or extend at any moment. I started early to reach a neighborhood found by our Spokane freelancer, Young Kwak, despite a Level 3 evacuation order. Power company employees managed the road entrances, allowing me entry on foot.
Wandering for an hour and a half, Wasson documented the destruction until encountering Miriam and Daniel Sim. They had returned and were initially hesitant about viewing their devastated home. With their permission, Wasson followed them and took a poignant photo of Miriam from a respectful distance.
The Significance of the Photo
The image captures Miriam, alone amidst the devastation — her clean white outfit and handbag stark against the backdrop of destruction. Contrary to typical composition advice, placing her centrally along the symmetrical sidewalk felt appropriate, highlighting the enormity of loss.
A previously tagged version showed Miriam covering her face, yet this shot, where she absorbs the overwhelming scene, holds greater impact. Her simple reaction to the obliteration of her long-time neighborhood is compelling.
Reflecting on the sight, Miriam Sim stated, It’s like a war zone… there’s nothing to save.
Miriam, formerly a nurse in the Philippines, along with her husband Daniel, who practiced medicine, moved to the U.S. in the 1990s. They shared their struggle with whether to rebuild their home, acknowledging the challenges at their age.
Wasson emphasized the balance in disaster coverage: While depicting destruction, capturing human emotion remains central.
For more extraordinary AP photography, click here.