Heading into wildfires was always an adventure because there was a real sense of danger. Navigating down backwoods roads, unsure of where the fire is, is never a good situation to be in, but it's one I found myself in regularly during the summer months. It was always a relief to come upon firefighters, because they could tell me where to go to stay safe (and shake their heads at the fact that we were wandering around out there).
Fortunately, I made it out of all of them unscathed, but one sticks out in my mind: the Sites Complex Fire. I almost set up a live shot on a turnout that was engulfed in flames ten minutes later. Close call! It also provided perhaps the best fire footage I got in my years as a photog.
That smoke smell would stick with you for days. Can't say I miss that!