In the described scene, the imagery presents a desolate landscape where smoke rises from the ground, resembling mist. This creates a haunting atmosphere, emphasizing the bleakness of the setting. The thin black trees, already burning, are likened to candles, symbolizing destruction and loss in a world that seems to embody despair.

McCarthy's choice of words conveys a powerful sense of decay and darkness, illustrating the harsh reality faced by the characters. The comparison of burning trees to candles evokes a sense of worship to past life, hinting at a lost world. Overall, the quote captures the bleakness and emotional weight of survival in a devastated environment.