Wildfires in the West
Drought conditions out West have combined with strong winds and triple-digit heat to spark a particularly devastating wildfire season.
Here, a firefighter works to save a residence as the Butte fire burns in San Andreas, California, September 11, 2015. Evacuation orders were expanded to thousands of homes in northern California's Sierras that day, as the rapidly spreading wildfire roared through drought-parched timber and brush, threatening mountain communities near Sacramento. As of September 11th, the flames had devoured nearly 32,000 acres.
Twisp, Washington
The resort town at the southern end of Washington's Lake Chelan is now threatened by a complex of wildfires covering more than 100 square miles. So far, the flames have driven away tourists, destroyed a warehouse filled with nearly 2 million pounds of apples and forced thousands of residents to flee.
On August 19, 2015, three firefighters were killed and at least four others injured in a fast-moving blaze near the town of Twisp, Washington.
Washington fire
A Chelan County Public Utility District worker walks past a burned structure along State Route Alt. 97 highway, outside of Chelan, Washington.
First Creek Fire
Timber burns in the First Creek fire near lakeside structures on the western shore of Lake Chelan late August 17, 2015, near Chelan, Washington.
Jerusalem Fire
As of August 17, 2015, more than 80 major wildfires are burning in the West, with two new blazes ignited near Los Angeles on August 16.
Here, flames from the Jerusalem Fire consume a sign containing addresses to homes along Morgan Valley Road in Lake County, California, August 12, 2015. The so-called Jerusalem Fire consumed more than 25,000 acres as it burned aggressively through drought-parched vegetation north of Napa Valley wine country. As of August 17, 2015, it is 90 percent contained.
California wildfires
Garden Valley firefighter Chris Schwegler walks by flames along Morgan Valley Road near Lower Lake, California, August 13, 2015. Crews battling the wind-stoked blaze took advantage of cooler temperatures that day to clear brush and expand containment lines with bulldozers and hand tools.
Cabin Fire
A firefighter monitors the so-called Cabin Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, August 14, 2015.
Jerusalem Fire
A burn operation is seen along Morgan Valley Road during the Jerusalem Fire on August 11, 2015 near Lower Lake, California.
As of August 17, 2015, the fire has destroyed 25,118 acres, nine residences and 18 outbuildings. It is 90 percent contained.
Warm Fire
Firefighters wearing blue LED headlamps climb to a hot spot under the stars at the Warm Fire on August 16, 2015 in the Angeles National Forest north of Castaic, California. The wildfire has burned six structures and blackened 500 acres so far.
Cabin FIre
A firefighter battles the so-called Cabin Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, August 14, 2015.
Cabin Fire
A firefighting helicopter drops retardant on the Cabin Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, August 15, 2015. As of August 16, the brush fire had scorched 1,448 acres north of Glendora and was only 20 percent contained.
Cabin Fire
A dead rabbit is seen on a road near the Cabin Fire in California's Angeles National Forest, August 15, 2015.
Rocky Fire
Firefighters watch the Rocky Fire advance in Lake County, California, July 30, 2015. By the time it was 100 percent contained on August 14, 2015, the Rocky Fire had destroyed more than 69,000 acres.
North Fire
A house is seen burning at the North Fire near Phelan, California, July 17, 2015. This fast-moving brush fire in the Southern California foothills overran a packed freeway in a mountain pass that day, destroying four structures and torching 20 vehicles as drivers abandoned their cars and scrambled to safety.
Rocky Fire
Firefighters work to dig a fire line on the Rocky Fire in Lake County, California, July 30, 2015. The Rocky Fire broke out on July 29 in Lake County, 110 miles north of San Francisco. By the next morning it had spread to 8,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.
Rocky Fire
Twenty-three large fires, many sparked by lightning strikes, were burning across California with 8,000 firefighters working to subdue them on August 1, 2015. Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for California, July 31.
Here, a firefighter watches for spot fires at the Rocky Fire in Lake County, California, July 30, 2015.
Rocky Fire
The Rocky Fire burns through a fence line in Lake County, California July 30, 2015.
The Rocky Fire broke out on the afternoon of July 29 in Lake County, 110 miles (180 km) north of San Francisco. By Thursday morning, July 30, it had spread to 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.
Governor Jerry Brown activated the National Guard July 31 to help with disaster recovery.
Pine Fire
Los Angeles county firefighters battle wild land fire call the Pine Fire in Wrightwood, California July 17, 2015. A late night brush fire broke out near the Mountain High ski resort Friday in the hills of the Angeles Forest. The fire has burn over 125 acres as of 1:30am Saturday with no containment.
The Rocky Fire
A firefighter battles a spot fire at the Rocky Fire in Lake County, California July 30, 2015.
One firefighter, Engine Captain David Ruhl of South Dakota, died battling a separate fire that broke out July 30 in Modoc National forest in northeastern California.
Reynolds Creek Wildland Fire
The Reynolds Creek Wildland Fire burns in Glacier National Park, Montana, July 21, 2015. As of August 16, 2015, it had burned through 4,311 acres and was 67 percent contained. Efforts to contain the blaze have been hampered by strong winds and warm temperatures.
Pine Fire
The Pine Fire is seen in Wrightwood, California, July 17, 2015.
Sleepy Hollow Fire
A commercial building burns after being ignited by the Sleepy Hollow fire in Wenatchee, Washington, June 29, 2015. Emergency officials ordered hundreds of people to evacuate their homes in central Washington state as this fast-moving wildfire destroyed at least nine properties and threatened local businesses, June 28, 2015.
Many took refuge in shelters as the blaze scorched 1,700 acres near the cities of Cashmere and Wenatchee in Chelan County, about 120 miles east of Seattle.
Wildfires in the West
CBS local footage of the massive wildfire that roared into a central Washington neighborhood, June 29, 2015, due to a dangerous combination of high temperatures and strong winds near Wenatchee.
Wildfires in the West
A brush fire in Wenatchee, Washington forced the evacuations of more than a thousand people, June 28, 2015, as dozens of structures were destroyed and countless homes threatened.
Rocky Fire
A Cal Fire firefighter rides on the side of a fire engine while battling the Rocky Fire on July 30, 2015 in Lower Lake, California, about 130 miles north of San Francisco.
Over 600 firefighters are battling the Rocky Fire, which jumped to 8,000 acres in 24 hours and destroyed at least three homes.
Lake Fire
Walls of fire shoot into the air from a 200-acre brush fire burning in the hills north of Los Angeles, California, June 24, 2015.
The Lake Fire grew that day, after a private drone illegally flying over the area disrupted a planned drop of 10,800 gallons of retardant. The DC-10 air tanker en route with the retardant and two small planes behind it were forced to reroute over fears that the unmanned aircraft might endanger the pilots.
Wildfires in the West
A wall of heavy fire and smoke nears a residential area in the hills north of Los Angeles, California, June 24, 2015.
Wildfires in the West
A raging wildfire threatens homes and dozens of other structures in Washington state, approximately 120 miles east of Seattle.
Wildfires in the West
A Los Angeles City Fire helicopter drops water on the flames in Santa Clarita, California, June 24, 2015.
Wildfires in the West
A Los Angeles County fire dozer tries to make a fire brake in front of a wall of flames from a 200-acre brush fire burning in the hills north of Los Angeles, California, June 24, 2015.
Wildfires in the West
The historic drought in California, now in its third year, has rendered the state's forests and once-lush grasses, just the sort of bone dry fuel perfect for spreading wildfires.
And with sky high temps now settling over the state, firefighters are fighting an uphill battle against these rapidly spreading blazes.
Wildfires in the West
Local residents rush to get cellphone footage of the 200-acre brush fire burning near their homes in the hills north of Los Angeles, California June 24, 2015.
Wildfires in the West
A firefighter puts water on flames in Santa Clarita, California, June 24, 2015.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that, as of June 24, 2015, 1,000 people had been evacuated from their homes due to the threat of the flames, rapidly burning through the brushy canyonlands north of Los Angeles.
Wildfires in the West
A wildfire that erupted on the shoulder of the Interstate 5 freeway burns through heavy brush in Santa Clarita, California, June 24, 2015.
Hundreds of firefighters rushed to the area to protect nearby homes from the blaze.
Wildfires in the West
A firefighter monitors the flames in Markleeville, California, June 22, 2015.
Several campgrounds were evacuated and some highways closed due to their proximity.
Lake Fire
Flames spread through California's San Bernardino National Forest, June 19, 2015.
This wildfire just south of California's Big Bear Lake is being referred to as the Lake Fire. And as of June 23, 2015, it has scorched 23,000 acres in Northern California. Firefighters backed by air tankers and bulldozers have only managed to control about 24 percent of the blaze; the cost of fighting the fire already nearing $7 million.
Lake Fire
A Hotshot Crew cuts a fire line at the Lake Fire in California's San Bernardino National Forest, June 20, 2015.
Saddle Fire
Firefighter Jesse Hodorowski monitors the Saddle Fire burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Hyampom, California, June 13, 2015.
As of June 20, 2015, firefighters had contained 95 percent of the blaze and were hoping to snuff out the remaining interior burning by the end of the week.
Lake Fire
A firefighting helicopter drops water near the Camp Bravo summer camp as firefighters battle the Lake Fire in California's San Bernardino National Forest, June 19, 2015.
Lake Fire
A tree burns at the Lake Fire in California's San Bernardino National Forest, June 20, 2015.
Lake Fire
Members of the El Carrizo Hotshot Crew cut a fire line through the night to try to contain the Lake Fire in California's San Bernardino National Forest, June 19, 2015.
Lake Fire
A smoke plume from the Lake Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest is seen at sunset, rising over the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs, California, June 18, 2015.
Wildfires in the West
A firefighter monitors a wildfire as it spreads to the road near Jenks Lake in California's San Bernardino National Forest, June 18, 2015.
Sockeye Fire
The setting sun is partially obscured by smoke from a wildfire on the Parks Highway near Willow, Alaska, June 14, 2015.
The evacuation notices for people living in homes between mile 72 and mile 77 on the highway due to this Sockeye Fire, which has burned 7,220 acres, were lifted June 22, 2015, according to the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center.
Sockeye Fire
Trees are consumed by flames as a wildfire burns near Willow, Alaska, June 14, 2015.
The Sockeye Fire has now been burning for over a week just north of Anchorage. As of June 21, 2015, it was 90 percent contained, but still continues to burn.
Wildfires in the West
The setting sun is partially obscured by smoke from the wildfire on the Parks Highway near Willow, Alaska, June 14, 2015.
Saddle Fire
A Plumas Hotshot firefighter watches for flying embers as a Saddle Fire backfire burns in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Hyampom, California, June 14, 2015.
More than 1,000 firefighters battled the Saddle Fire, which by June 21, 2015 had scorched 1,490 acres according to the Los Angeles Times.
By June 20, 2015, firefighters had contained 95 percent of the blaze and were hoping to snuff out the remaining interior burning by the end of the week.
Bogus Creek Fire
The Bogus Creek Fire burns in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Alaska, June 7, 2015.
The 25,260-acre fire, now extinguished, was reportedly started by lightning on May 31, 2015.
Saddle Fire
A firefighter from the Plumas Hotshot Crew sets a backfire while battling the Saddle Fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Hyampom, California, June 13, 2015.
This backfire later switched directions, leading some local residents to lodge complaints that its lighting endangered their lives and property.
