Data centers in Quincy, Washington, for Seattle Met
June 25, 2026

A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.

For Seattle Met magazine, I photographed data centers (and the surrounding infrastructure) with my drone in rural Quincy, Washington, a couple months back. The first data centers in Quincy opened almost 20 years ago, and the facilities now account for the majority of the town’s property tax revenue. I’m always amazed how much these facilities look like motherboards from above…the water tanks look like capacitors, the wire conduits look like traces on a PCB.

Thanks to Jane for the assignment, online and on newsstands now in the Summer 2026 issue of Seattle Met.

A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026. The West Canal of the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District is visible running alongside the data centers.
A drone view of electrical infrastructure near data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of powerlines near data centers and farm fields in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.
A drone view of spools of wire likely used for electrical transmission stand among farm fields near data centers in Quincy, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 17, 2026.

Sea Lions at Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina
May 30, 2026

Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.

I’ve visited Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina a few times this year to see the sea lions basking on the docks. They stop in the area to feast on salmon on the way down to breeding areas further south. They’re so noisy and clumsy when they move around on land, but so peaceful when they’re asleep. 

Sea lions sleep in the sun on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thu., April 16, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions swim in the water at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 13, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions swim in the water at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 13, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep in the sun on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thu., April 16, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions bask in the sun on the breakwater at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Tue., Feb. 24, 2026.

Energy infrastructure in Alaska, California, and Washington
March 26, 2026

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline stretches across the frozen and snowy landscape alongside The Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4) between Paxson and Donnelly Alaska, USA, on Tue., Oct. 21, 2025.

In the past few months I’ve found myself near some fascinating energy infrastructure: the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in Alaska, the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm in California, and the Marathon and HF Sinclair refineries in northwestern Washington state. All of these pictures have taken on a new relevance in my mind as oil prices surge around the world as the war in Iran intensifies and widens.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline stretches across the frozen and snowy landscape alongside The Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4) between Paxson and Donnelly Alaska, USA, on Tue., Oct. 21, 2025.
Sunset silhouettes wind turbines in the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm outside Palm Springs, California, USA, on Sun., Dec. 7, 2025.
A view of the HF Sinclair Puget Sound Refining refinery on March Point in Anacortes, Washington, USA, on Mon., March 9, 2026. As the US and Israel attacks on Iran have caused wider conflict in the Middle East, oil shipments in the Strait of Harmuz have stopped, leading to an increase in gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices in the US.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline stretches across the frozen and snowy landscape between Paxson and Donnelly Alaska, USA, on Tue., Oct. 21, 2025.
Wind turbines stand above the desert at dusk in the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm outside Palm Springs, California, USA, on Sun., Dec. 7, 2025.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline stretches across the frozen and snowy landscape between Paxson and Donnelly Alaska, USA, on Tue., Oct. 21, 2025.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline stretches across the frozen and snowy landscape alongside The Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4) between Paxson and Donnelly Alaska, USA, on Tue., Oct. 21, 2025.
An aerial view of the Marathon Petroleum Company refinery on March Point in Anacortes, Washington, USA, on Mon., March 9, 2026. As the US and Israel attacks on Iran have caused wider conflict in the Middle East, oil shipments in the Strait of Harmuz have stopped, leading to an increase in gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices in the US.
Sunset silhouettes wind turbines and powerlines in the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm outside Palm Springs, California, USA, on Sun., Dec. 7, 2025.

Senior housing costs, Alaska Airlines announcement, the government shutdown, and other recent news coverage
March 11, 2026

WA legislature considers affordable senior housing rent caps, for Cascade PBS

Royce Timothy, 68, in her Destinations Lynnwood one-bedroom apartment in Lynnwood, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 26, 2025. Timothy, who moved into the apartment in 2018, when the building was owned and managed by Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations (SHAG), which aims to provide affordable housing for senior citizens. But year later the building was sold to Greystar, a subsidiary of the private equity firm Carlyle Group. Since then, her rent has increased every year and now she is selling her possessions to pay for next month's rent and she doesn't know where she'll live when her lease is up.
Royce Timothy, 68, looks at a 2019 document that says that Destinations Lynnwood, where she has her one-bedroom apartment, will remain an affordable housing building after its sale to a private equity group, in Lynnwood, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 26, 2025. Timothy, who moved into the apartment in 2018, when the building was owned and managed by Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations (SHAG), which aims to provide affordable housing for senior citizens. But year later the building was sold to Greystar, a subsidiary of the private equity firm Carlyle Group. Since then, her rent has increased every year and now she is selling her possessions to pay for next month's rent and she doesn't know where she'll live when her lease is up.
A fortune cookie fortune reading "Keep up the good work. You will soon be rewarded financially," is seen in the one-bedroom Destinations Lynnwood apartment of Royce Timothy, 68, in Lynnwood, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 26, 2025. Timothy, who moved into the apartment in 2018, when the building was owned and managed by Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations (SHAG), which aims to provide affordable housing for senior citizens. But year later the building was sold to Greystar, a subsidiary of the private equity firm Carlyle Group. Since then, her rent has increased every year and now she is selling her possessions to pay for next month's rent and she doesn't know where she'll live when her lease is up.
Royce Timothy, 68, in her Destinations Lynnwood one-bedroom apartment in Lynnwood, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 26, 2025. Timothy, who moved into the apartment in 2018, when the building was owned and managed by Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations (SHAG), which aims to provide affordable housing for senior citizens. But year later the building was sold to Greystar, a subsidiary of the private equity firm Carlyle Group. Since then, her rent has increased every year and now she is selling her possessions to pay for next month's rent and she doesn't know where she'll live when her lease is up.
Terry Goodwin is the owner of Mauna Kea, a seniors-only apartment building with 56 units, in Tukwila, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025. The complex was built by Goodwin's father in 1967 and he bought it in 1999. Goodwin says he considers the rent he charges, from $1260-1340 per month this year depending on size of the unit, to be under market rate. Goodwin says that if the state legislature passes a rent stabilization measure he may have to take measures to meet rising costs, including rent increases, charging for amenities, and possibly even selling the complex.
Terry Goodwin is the owner of Mauna Kea, a seniors-only apartment building with 56 units, in Tukwila, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025. The complex was built by Goodwin's father in 1967 and he bought it in 1999. Goodwin says he considers the rent he charges, from $1260-1340 per month this year depending on size of the unit, to be under market rate. Goodwin says that if the state legislature passes a rent stabilization measure he may have to take measures to meet rising costs, including rent increases, charging for amenities, and possibly even selling the complex.
Terry Goodwin, owner of Mauna Kea, a seniors-only apartment building with 56 units, displays his key ring for the building in Tukwila, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025. The complex was built by Goodwin's father in 1967 and he bought it in 1999. Goodwin says he considers the rent he charges, from $1260-1340 per month this year depending on size of the unit, to be under market rate. Goodwin says that if the state legislature passes a rent stabilization measure he may have to take measures to meet rising costs, including rent increases, charging for amenities, and possibly even selling the complex.
The Mauna Kea is a seniors-only apartment building with 56 units owned by Terry Goodwin in Tukwila, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025. The complex was built by Goodwin's father in 1967 and he bought it in 1999. Goodwin says he considers the rent he charges, from $1260-1340 per month this year depending on size of the unit, to be under market rate. Goodwin says that if the state legislature passes a rent stabilization measure he may have to take measures to meet rising costs, including rent increases, charging for amenities, and possibly even selling the complex.

Seattle-area National Parks during the government shutdown

A "Closed" sign hangs in the window of entrance booths at the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA, on Thu., Oct. 2, 2025. This is the second day of a partial shutdown of the federal government. Gift shops, restaurants, and hotels in the park, which are operated by private companies, remained open, but entrance gates and ranger information stations staffed by National Park Service employees were closed.
The Information Desk in the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park is closed during a partial federal government shutdown on Thu., Oct. 2, 2025. This is the second day of a partial shutdown of the federal government. Gift shops, restaurants, and hotels in the park, which are operated by private companies, remained open, but entrance gates and ranger stations staffed by National Park Service employees were closed.
A sign indicates the closure of Seattle's National Park Store near the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park museum and visitor center in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 1, 2025. Congress failed to fund the government by midnight Sept. 30, 2025, forcing a partial government shutdown, causing the closure of many federal facilities around the nation.
Tourists take pictures at Glacier Vista on a trail near Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park during a partial federal government shutdown on Thu., Oct. 2, 2025. This is the second day of a partial shutdown of the federal government. Gift shops, restaurants, and hotels in the park, which are operated by private companies, remained open, but entrance gates and ranger stations staffed by National Park Service employees were closed.
The arrowhead symbol of the National Park Service hangs on a wall behind the closed Information Desk in the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park during a partial federal government shutdown on Thu., Oct. 2, 2025. This is the second day of a partial shutdown of the federal government. Gift shops, restaurants, and hotels in the park, which are operated by private companies, remained open, but entrance gates and ranger stations staffed by National Park Service employees were closed.
Taiwanese tourists look into the closed Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park museum and visitor center in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 1, 2025. Congress failed to fund the government by midnight Sept. 30, 2025, forcing a partial government shutdown, causing the closure of many federal facilities around the nation.
A sign indicates the closure of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park museum and visitor center due to the federal government shutdown in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Oct. 1, 2025. Congress failed to fund the government by midnight Sept. 30, 2025, forcing a partial government shutdown.

Alaska Airlines-Boeing deal announcement, for Bloomberg News

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner passenger aircraft with Alaska Airlines' new aircraft livery during a media event at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Alaska Air Group Inc. is ordering 110 Boeing Co. aircraft, laying the groundwork for a global network with the largest investment in new planes in the airline’s history. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg
From left: Ben Minicucci, chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group Inc.; Shane Tackett, chief financial officer of Alaska Air Group Inc.; Sean Duffy, US secretary of transportation; and Stephanie Pope, chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes; during a media event at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Alaska Air Group Inc. is ordering 110 Boeing Co. aircraft, laying the groundwork for a global network with the largest investment in new planes in the airline’s history. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg
Kelly Ortberg, chief executive officer of Boeing Co., during a media event at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Alaska Air Group Inc. is ordering 110 Boeing Co. aircraft, laying the groundwork for a global network with the largest investment in new planes in the airline’s history.
A Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner passenger aircraft with Alaska Airlines' new aircraft livery during a media event at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Alaska Air Group Inc. is ordering 110 Boeing Co. aircraft, laying the groundwork for a global network with the largest investment in new planes in the airline’s history. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg
Shane Tackett, chief financial officer of Alaska Air Group Inc., during a media event at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Alaska Air Group Inc. is ordering 110 Boeing Co. aircraft, laying the groundwork for a global network with the largest investment in new planes in the airline’s history. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner passenger aircraft with Alaska Airlines' new aircraft livery during a media event at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Alaska Air Group Inc. is ordering 110 Boeing Co. aircraft, laying the groundwork for a global network with the largest investment in new planes in the airline’s history.

Crowds before the Seahawks Superbowl victory parade, for Amazon

Jeff Waters wheels popcorn for sale past crowds gathered along 4th Avenue fo the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship. Waters said he was up all night popping the popcorn and sold $5 and $7 cups full. "I was the original $1 hot dog guy," he said, starting outside the King Dome in 1987. He called the crowd, "Fresh buttered popcorn. Refilled it a second time." Some passersby questioned how fresh it was.
A woman wears a Super Bowl 60 hat as crowds gather along 4th Avenue before the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.
Crowds line 4th Avenue in anticipation of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.
Crowds line 4th Avenue in anticipation of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.
Crowds line 4th Avenue in anticipation of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.
Crowds line 4th Avenue in anticipation of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.
Crowds line 4th Avenue in anticipation of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.
People climb a building to try to get a view of the 4th Avenue Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship victory parade in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Wed., Feb. 11, 2026. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, their second Super Bowl championship.

Private equity ends Emergency Reporting software, for the New York Times
February 23, 2026

Adrian Mintz is a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by more than a quarter of fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, seen here in Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and seven times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will likely not be able to afford the replacement software.
Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, uses Emergency Reporting to look at a map view of historical incident data in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.

Adrian Mintz is a volunteer firefighter in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, and a software developer who built a software suite called Emergency Reporting that was used by more than a quarter of fire departments around the US to collect data about their operations and track maintenance of their equipment.

When his business partner wanted to exit the business, Mintz couldn’t buy his partner’s share and the software was sold to a private equity company who sold the software to competitor ESO. Federal standards for emergency data changed on Dec. 31, 2025, and ESO said they would not be updating Emergency Reporting software to work with the new standards, effectively forcing fire departments to move to their more expensive and less fully-featured software.

Mintz estimates that it will cost fire departments between 4 and 7 times more to have the same functionality using ESO software as they had under his now-discontinued Emergency Reporting software, a cost he feels many small departments around the country will not be able to afford.

Photographed for the New York Times. Thanks to Stephen for the call!

Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, opens tool storage compartments on a fire engine in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.
Adrian Mintz is a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by more than a quarter of fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, seen here in Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz is seen here in the department's Radio Room, where incident reports are filed. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and seven times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will likely not be able to afford the replacement software.
Close of the badge of Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, seen here in Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.
Close of the coffee mug of Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, seen here in Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.
Close of the radio of Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, seen here in Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.
Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, demonstrates the use of ESO software on a tablet in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.
Adrian Mintz is a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department and co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by more than a quarter of fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules, seen here in Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and seven times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will likely not be able to afford the replacement software.
The helmet of Adrian Mintz, a Captain in the City of Sedro-Woolley Fire Department, rests on a shelf in the Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025. Mintz is co-founder of Emergency Reporting, software used by fire departments around the country for recording incident data and managing equipment inventory and maintenance schedules. Mintz and his co-founder sold a majority stake in Emergency Reporting to Vista Private Equity in 2019, who then sold the software to ESO, another provider of fire and EMS software, in 2021. As federal standards for emergency incident data change at the end of 2025, ESO has said that Emergency Reporting will not be updated and thus will cease to function. ESO's own software will provide some of the same functionality as Emergency Reporting, but at a cost between four and sevent times the cost of Emergency Reporting, Mintz says. Many small fire departments around the country will not be able to afford the replacement software.
A mural depicts emergency services in the City of Sedro-Woolley's Fire Department Station 1 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 9, 2025.

Western Washington flooding and response, for Amazon, the Red Cross, and ZumaPress
January 23, 2026

Water from the flooded Snoqualmie River covers the roadway at NE 124th Street near Duvall, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.

Over the course of a week in December, I photographed the aftermath of catastrophic flooding across western Washington state for a variety of clients. From closed roads to inundated houses and RVs to cleanup efforts and the logistics of moving supplies to affected areas. 

An RV is nearly totally submerged by flood waters from the overflowing Skykomish River on a farm near Sultan, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Rafa Castro helps clear out a flooded garage in Adrian Zuniga's home as water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, floods a neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
Mario Rincon and son Daniel, 2, look at water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, surrounding their home in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
A house stands in flood water from the Snoqualmie River near Carnation, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
People look out at the flooded Snohomish River in downtown Snohomish, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Water from the flooded Snoqualmie River partially covers a roadside plumbing billboard at E Woodinville Duvall Road near Duvall, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Trucks and other vehicles stand in water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, near Greenhills Memorial Cemetery in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
Rafa Castro (right) and homeowner Adrian Zuniga clear out the garage as water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, floods a neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
A rainbow-colored oil slick is visible as water from the flooded Gages Slough and the Skagit River floods State Route 20 in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region causing widespread flooding throughout western Washington.
A hot tub enclosure stands askew in water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, near Greenhills Memorial Cemetery in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
A man rides a bicycle through flood waters from the Skykomish River inundating a portion of downtown Sultan, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Washington governor Bob Ferguson discusses disaster relief with local officials in Everson, Washington, USA, on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025. The area experienced catastrophic flooding after a series of atmospheric rivers hit the region.
Driver Darrell Nichols unloads pallets of disaster relief supplies donated and shipped by Amazon to Whatcom County in Everson, Washington, USA, on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025. The area experienced catastrophic flooding after a series of atmospheric rivers hit the region.
Sandbags are used to prevent flood waters from entering businesses as the Skykomish River inundates a portion of downtown Sultan, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
American Red Cross volunteers receive disaster relief supplies to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
Disaster relief supplies donated and shipped by Amazon to the American Red Cross to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, are seen in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
American Red Cross volunteers receive disaster relief supplies to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
American Red Cross volunteers receive disaster relief supplies to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
A destroyed deck lays on a hedge along Babcock Road after flooding in Clear Lake, Washington, USA, on Mon., Dec. 15, 2025. A trio of atmospheric rivers caused widespread catastrophic flooding throughout western Washington.
Cars are covered with mud and debris at a farm on Babcock Road after flooding in Clear Lake, Washington, USA, on Mon., Dec. 15, 2025. A trio of atmospheric rivers caused widespread catastrophic flooding throughout western Washington.
Damaged furniture and belongings are piled up outside a house after the Skagit River flooded in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Mon., Dec. 15, 2025. A trio of atmospheric rivers caused widespread catastrophic flooding throughout western Washington state.
Water from the flooded Gages Slough and the Skagit River floods State Route 20 in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region causing widespread flooding throughout western Washington.

Older work