2nd Place,
Gina Ferrazi, The Los Angeles Times

"California Firestorm - Running From Flames" - Jim Kilgore of San Bernardino runs from a ball of flame as he tries to save his house from an intense firestorm which started in the San Bernardino National Forest off Highway 18 in Waterman Canyon on Oct. 25, 2003. Kilgore lives off 40th Street in north San Bernardino, CA. The California Firestorms destroyed 3,500 homes and left 23 people dead. Many homeowners had little time to gather belongings. Thousands were kept away from their homes for days, not knowing if they had a house to return to. But, through it all, there was a resilience and a spirit among those who lost it all. The brush fire that began early on Oct.24 mushroomed into the largest blaze in California history. It lasted over 11 days.