[PokeyJoe]

Tree's devoid of vegetation - picture taken well over a year ago during Winter, or late Fall.

Looks like a fire in the Wasatch, or on the Rockies range. I've seen these types of plumes many times. Esp. when the wind is light during the early hours...

[_Jim]

"Brian Justice" seemed to write:

On our way back home from a family drive on 8/29/04 ...

To which PokeyJoe responded (and I concur):

Tree's devoid of vegetation - picture taken well over a year ago during Winter, or late Fall.

Case closed.

'Forgery'

[Elsie]

I don't know... Late August with not much moisture can zap leaves pretty good. Besides, some of the trees ARE leaved, and thegrass is still green.

(Maybe them leafless trees are DEAD!)