California wildfires
A house is consumed by wildfire as the sun sinks low, May 14, 2014.
About 500 acres have burned in the San Marcos blaze, fueled by record heat, high winds and dry conditions. At least four other fires advanced in nearby communities.
Carlsbad, California
Residents photograph the burning ruins of their home that was destroyed in the Poinsettia fire, one of nine wildfires fueled by wind and record temperatures that erupted in San Diego County throughout the day, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Residents looks at the burning remains of their home that was destroyed in the Poinsettia fire, May 14, 2014.
Fire agencies throughout the state are scrambling to prepare for what is expected to be a dangerous year of wildfires in this third year of extreme drought in California. The Poinsettia fire has destroyed at least eight homes and severely damaged eight condos and two businesses.
San Marcos, California
A fireman keeps down hotspots near houses during a wildfire, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A firefighter puts down hot spots in front of a house in the hills, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
Flames flare up on a hillside behind an apartment complex near California State University at San Marcos, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
Fire rages above an apartment complex, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A fire burns on a hillside behind Cal State University at San Marcos, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A fire burns on a hillside behind Cal State University at San Marcos, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
An airplane drops fire retardant on a fire, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A firefighter douses flames to protect the house behind him during a wildfire, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A fireman keeps an eye on a burning house, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A house is consumed by a wildfire, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A house stands on a hillside almost totally charred by a wildfire, May 14, 2014.
San Marcos, California
A house burns in the hills as another in the background stands untouched, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
A resident looks at his home as firefighters hose down the ruins after it was destroyed in the Poinsettia fire, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Residents watch as firefighters hose down the ruins of their home after it was destroyed, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Residents looks at the burning remains of their home, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
A resident looks at his home as firefighters hose down the ruins, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Residents looks at the burning remains of their home, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Residents looks at the burning remains of their home that was destroyed, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
A firefighter looks at the smoldering ruins of a house, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
A firefighter hoses down the smoldering ruins of a house, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
The ruins of a home smoulder in the night after it was destroyed in the Poinsettia fire, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
The ruins of a home smoulder in the night after it was destroyed in the Poinsettia fire, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
The moon rises behind a house that was destroyed, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Firefighters spray water on a burning commercial structure, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Firefighters spray water on a burning commercial structure, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Firefighters spray water on a burning commercial structure, May 14, 2014.
Carlsbad, California
Firefighters spray water on a burning commercial structure at the Poinsettia fire, one of nine wildfires fueled by wind and record temperatures that erupted in San Diego County throughout the day, May 14, 2014.