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Firefighters Make Progress Against California Wildfires

Firefighters battle major blazes in Southern California, trying to contain wildfires that have destroyed dozens of homes and threatened thousands more in foothill suburbs.

The 10-day-old blaze is the biggest wildfire in Los Angeles County history.

Sept. 4

The 10-day-old blaze is the biggest wildfire in Los Angeles County history.

David Mcnew-Getty Images

Debra Bekher shows her daughter, not shown, her grandmother's music box she found in the burnt out rubble of their home in Tujunga, California.

Sept. 3

Debra Bekher shows her daughter, not shown, her grandmother's music box she found in the burnt out rubble of their home in Tujunga, California.

Lm Otero-AP

A helicopter dumps water on the western edge of the Station Fire, deep inside the Angeles National Forest on September 3, 2009.

Sept. 3

A helicopter dumps water on the western edge of the Station Fire, deep inside the Angeles National Forest on September 3, 2009.

Mark Ralston-AFP/Getty Images

A homeowner breaks down as he talks about his home that was destroyed by the Station fire in the Angeles National Forest on the outskirts of Los Angeles, Calif. Firefighters brought a sprawling wildfire near Los Angeles under greater control Thursday, despite a flare-up in a remote canyon that prompted about 25 nearby residents to be evacuated.

Sept. 2

A homeowner breaks down as he talks about his home that was destroyed by the Station fire in the Angeles National Forest on the outskirts of Los Angeles, Calif. Firefighters brought a sprawling wildfire near Los Angeles under greater control Thursday, despite a flare-up in a remote canyon that prompted about 25 nearby residents to be evacuated.

Mark Ralston-AFP/Getty Images

An image from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA's Terra satellite shows several pyrocumulus clouds, created by the Station fire, above smoke plumes rising from the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles.

Aug. 30

An image from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA's Terra satellite shows several pyrocumulus clouds, created by the Station fire, above smoke plumes rising from the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles.

Ho-AFP/Getty Images

Firefighter David Bryden, of New Cuyuma, Calif., mops up during a wildfire in the Sunland section of Los Angeles. The main wildfire on Thursday measured 144,743 acres, or 226 square miles, and is one of the largest wildfires in Southern California history.

Sept. 2

Firefighter David Bryden, of New Cuyuma, Calif., mops up during a wildfire in the Sunland section of Los Angeles. The main wildfire on Thursday measured 144,743 acres, or 226 square miles, and is one of the largest wildfires in Southern California history.

Jae C. Hong-AP

The Angeles National Forest is still burning near the lake of Littlerock, 70 miles north of Los Angeles. The wildfire, in its eighth day on Thursday, destroyed 64 homes, burned three people and left two firefighters dead.

Sept. 2

The Angeles National Forest is still burning near the lake of Littlerock, 70 miles north of Los Angeles. The wildfire, in its eighth day on Thursday, destroyed 64 homes, burned three people and left two firefighters dead.

Gabriel Bouys-AFP/Getty Images

Sitting on a roof, two residents watch a wildfire burn during the Station fire in La Crescenta, Calif. Citing new damage assessments, officials Tuesday raised the number of destroyed homes from 53 to 62.

Sept. 1

Sitting on a roof, two residents watch a wildfire burn during the Station fire in La Crescenta, Calif. Citing new damage assessments, officials Tuesday raised the number of destroyed homes from 53 to 62.

Jae C. Hong-AP

Firefighters walk up a hill during the Station fire in La Crescenta, Calif. Flames from the fires have spread over 199 square miles of forest in a week.

Sept. 1

Firefighters walk up a hill during the Station fire in La Crescenta, Calif. Flames from the fires have spread over 199 square miles of forest in a week.

Jae C. Hong-AP

From a lakeside dock in Yucaipa Regional Park, the McHenry family cheers as a Sikorsky S64 Sky Crane firefighting helicopter goes "in the dip" for another load of water in Yucaipa, Calif.

Sept. 1

From a lakeside dock in Yucaipa Regional Park, the McHenry family cheers as a Sikorsky S64 Sky Crane firefighting helicopter goes "in the dip" for another load of water in Yucaipa, Calif.

Don Bartletti-AP

The Station fire rages on in the foothills of Los Angeles. Mandatory evacuation orders in the area were reduced by 300 to 6,000 on Tuesday.

Sept. 1

The Station fire rages on in the foothills of Los Angeles. Mandatory evacuation orders in the area were reduced by 300 to 6,000 on Tuesday.

Dan Steinberg-AP

Jennifer Chew, right, and Kirsten Winter watch a wildfire burn during the Station fire in La Crescenta. Containment of the Station fire rose to 22 percent.

Sept. 1

Jennifer Chew, right, and Kirsten Winter watch a wildfire burn during the Station fire in La Crescenta. Containment of the Station fire rose to 22 percent.

Jae C. Hong-AP

The melted metal from a vehicle that burned during the Station fire is pictured in the Tujunga area of Los Angeles. The Station fire is one of hundreds of wildfires in a season that usually does not gather steam until October, when the Santa Ana winds arrive.

Sept. 1

The melted metal from a vehicle that burned during the Station fire is pictured in the Tujunga area of Los Angeles. The Station fire is one of hundreds of wildfires in a season that usually does not gather steam until October, when the Santa Ana winds arrive.

Mario Anzuoni-Reuters

The Hidden Springs Cafe is in ruins after a wildfire along Angeles Forest Highway at Angeles National Forest in California. The cafe was a stop-off point offering beverages and food to minors in the 1940s after the highway was built.

Sept. 1

The Hidden Springs Cafe is in ruins after a wildfire along Angeles Forest Highway at Angeles National Forest in California. The cafe was a stop-off point offering beverages and food to minors in the 1940s after the highway was built.

Gene Blevins-Reuters

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is briefed on the wildfires by California Fire Chief Del Walters at the command post for the Pendleton and Oak Glen fire at Yucaipa Regional Park. This year's destructive Southern California wildfires began in May, when 80 homes were destroyed and more than a dozen others were damaged in the Santa Barbara area.

Sept. 1

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is briefed on the wildfires by California Fire Chief Del Walters at the command post for the Pendleton and Oak Glen fire at Yucaipa Regional Park. This year's destructive Southern California wildfires began in May, when 80 homes were destroyed and more than a dozen others were damaged in the Santa Barbara area.

Al Cuizon-AP

Julie Garcia, 59, and her daughter Jessi Garcia, 19, hug each after seeing their home destroyed by the Station fire in their neighborhood on La Paloma Canyon Road at Vogel Flat in Tujunga, Calif.

Sept. 1

Julie Garcia, 59, and her daughter Jessi Garcia, 19, hug each after seeing their home destroyed by the Station fire in their neighborhood on La Paloma Canyon Road at Vogel Flat in Tujunga, Calif.

Irfan Khan-AP

Firefighters stand ready as a wildfire threatening houses approaches the La Crescenta section of Glendale, Calif.

Sept. 1

Firefighters stand ready as a wildfire threatening houses approaches the La Crescenta section of Glendale, Calif.

L.M. Otero-AP

Paul White, 46, who has evacuated several times since the start of the Station fire, which began near a ranger station, watches a backfire burn in front of his home in La Crescenta, Calif.

Aug. 31

Paul White, 46, who has evacuated several times since the start of the Station fire, which began near a ranger station, watches a backfire burn in front of his home in La Crescenta, Calif.

Jae C. Hong-AP

Firefighter Angel Reyes sprays water to protect a house in the Los Angeles suburb of La Crescenta while the crew deliberately burns away vegetation to create a fire break.

Aug. 31

Firefighter Angel Reyes sprays water to protect a house in the Los Angeles suburb of La Crescenta while the crew deliberately burns away vegetation to create a fire break.

Philip Scott Andrews-AP

Burnt homes are left in ruins in the Acton area of California. As of Monday evening, a total of 6,300 homes throughout the fire zone were under evacuation orders, authorities said. The so-called Station fire more than doubled in size as it burned out of control for a sixth day, charring 105,000 acres and sending up towering palls of smoke that fouled the air for miles around.

Aug. 31

Burnt homes are left in ruins in the Acton area of California. As of Monday evening, a total of 6,300 homes throughout the fire zone were under evacuation orders, authorities said. The so-called Station fire more than doubled in size as it burned out of control for a sixth day, charring 105,000 acres and sending up towering palls of smoke that fouled the air for miles around.

Gene Blevins-Reuters

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter uses a drip torch to light a back fire in La Crescenta. The commander of the vast firefighting operation expressed a positive outlook for the first time in the week since the Station fire erupted in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles and grew into a giant.

Aug. 31

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter uses a drip torch to light a back fire in La Crescenta. The commander of the vast firefighting operation expressed a positive outlook for the first time in the week since the Station fire erupted in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles and grew into a giant.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

A U.S. Forest Service hotshot wipes his face while taking a break from fighting the Station fire in Tujunga, Calif.

Aug. 31

A U.S. Forest Service hotshot wipes his face while taking a break from fighting the Station fire in Tujunga, Calif.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

Firefighters look for hot spots on a burnt landscape in the Acton area of California. Some 3,600 firefighters and aircraft were working across a 50-mile span to battle the blaze.

Aug. 31

Firefighters look for hot spots on a burnt landscape in the Acton area of California. Some 3,600 firefighters and aircraft were working across a 50-mile span to battle the blaze.

Gene Blevins-Reuters

Mushrooming clouds from the Station fire are seen from San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. The wildfire has claimed the lives of two firefighters and destroyed dozens of homes. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

Aug. 31

Mushrooming clouds from the Station fire are seen from San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. The wildfire has claimed the lives of two firefighters and destroyed dozens of homes. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

Kevork Djansezian-Getty Images

Smoke rises high into the atmosphere as the Station Fire gradually marches west across southern California. The wildfire has claimed the lives of two firefighters and destroyed 21 homes.

Aug. 31

Smoke rises high into the atmosphere as the Station Fire gradually marches west across southern California. The wildfire has claimed the lives of two firefighters and destroyed 21 homes.

Kevork Djansezian-Getty Images

Smoke from the Station Fire obscures the Los Angeles skyline. A deadly wildfire burning out of control for a sixth day in the parched mountains north of the city doubled in size overnight on Monday.

Aug. 31

Smoke from the Station Fire obscures the Los Angeles skyline. A deadly wildfire burning out of control for a sixth day in the parched mountains north of the city doubled in size overnight on Monday.

Fred Prouser-Reuters

This photo provided by NASA shows a satellite view of the Station fire burning in Southern California, taken by NASA's Terra Satellite.

Aug. 30

This photo provided by NASA shows a satellite view of the Station fire burning in Southern California, taken by NASA's Terra Satellite.

NASA/GSFC/LaRC/JPL, MISR Team-AP

A U.S. Forest Service air tanker drops fire retardant next to a line of fire as the Station fire burns in the hills above a home in Acton, Calif. The fire, so far, has destroyed 21 houses.

Aug. 30

A U.S. Forest Service air tanker drops fire retardant next to a line of fire as the Station fire burns in the hills above a home in Acton, Calif. The fire, so far, has destroyed 21 houses.

Dan Steinberg-AP

The wildfire has forced thousands of evacuations as nearly 10,000 homes are threatened. The Los Angeles Fire Department estimated property damages at $7,671,000 and rising.

Aug. 30

The wildfire has forced thousands of evacuations as nearly 10,000 homes are threatened. The Los Angeles Fire Department estimated property damages at $7,671,000 and rising.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies and residents help evacuate horses. The wildfire also threatens an exotic animal preserve near Acton, Calif.

Aug. 30

Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies and residents help evacuate horses. The wildfire also threatens an exotic animal preserve near Acton, Calif.

Dan Steinberg-AP

Kevin Munson, right, Brittany Fryer, second from right, Francesca Scott, left, and a firefighter watch as the Station fire burns in the hills above Acton, Calif. As the fire spreads, the fire department has moved more resources near Acton to combat and control the flames.

Aug. 30

Kevin Munson, right, Brittany Fryer, second from right, Francesca Scott, left, and a firefighter watch as the Station fire burns in the hills above Acton, Calif. As the fire spreads, the fire department has moved more resources near Acton to combat and control the flames.

Dan Steinberg-AP

Firefighters spray foam on a tree in an effort to control a small part of the fire. From Sunday to Monday, the fire doubled in size.

Aug. 30

Firefighters spray foam on a tree in an effort to control a small part of the fire. From Sunday to Monday, the fire doubled in size.

Jae C. Hong-AP

A deer escapes the flames that have spread in three separate directions, causing both animals and people to flee the area.

Aug. 30

A deer escapes the flames that have spread in three separate directions, causing both animals and people to flee the area.

Jae C. Hong-AP

A Metrolink commuter train heads north on the Antelope Valley line as the Station fire burns in the Angeles National Forest .

Aug. 30

A Metrolink commuter train heads north on the Antelope Valley line as the Station fire burns in the Angeles National Forest .

Jason Redmond-AP

Firefighter Kyle Foster, 20, looks on as the Station fire continues to burn. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than 2,800 firefighters from surrounding areas have converged on the area to help fight the flames.

Aug. 30

Firefighter Kyle Foster, 20, looks on as the Station fire continues to burn. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than 2,800 firefighters from surrounding areas have converged on the area to help fight the flames.

Jason Redmond-AP

A firefighter drives away from an area engulfed with flames. Two firefighters have died while fighting the Station Fire.

Aug. 30

A firefighter drives away from an area engulfed with flames. Two firefighters have died while fighting the Station Fire.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

A firefighter sprays foam on a house as a wildfire approaches homes in Acton, Calif. Officials said only 5 percent of the fire was contained as of Monday Aug. 31.

Aug. 30

A firefighter sprays foam on a house as a wildfire approaches homes in Acton, Calif. Officials said only 5 percent of the fire was contained as of Monday Aug. 31.

Jae C. Hong-AP

Marla Gordon holds her daughters as they look at their burned down home on Oak Mist Lane in Auburn, Calif.

Aug. 30

Marla Gordon holds her daughters as they look at their burned down home on Oak Mist Lane in Auburn, Calif.

Bryan Patrick-AP

Ema Lujan carries a hose to help firefighters save what's left of her Harley Davidson business destroyed in the Auburn Fire. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said eight fires are burning in California, the largest one in the foothills north of Los Angeles.

Aug. 30

Ema Lujan carries a hose to help firefighters save what's left of her Harley Davidson business destroyed in the Auburn Fire. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said eight fires are burning in California, the largest one in the foothills north of Los Angeles.

Bryan Patrick-AP

Lyle Swesey sits in a lawn chair across the street from his burned down home on Creekside Place in Auburn, Calif. as a helicopter drops water on "hot spots." The Auburn fire consumed 275 acres and destroyed more than 20 structures.

Aug. 30

Lyle Swesey sits in a lawn chair across the street from his burned down home on Creekside Place in Auburn, Calif. as a helicopter drops water on "hot spots." The Auburn fire consumed 275 acres and destroyed more than 20 structures.

Bryan Patrick-AP

Smoke from the Station Fire billows up from behind the famous Hollywood sign in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Aug. 29

Smoke from the Station Fire billows up from behind the famous Hollywood sign in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Anthony Citrano-AP

U.S. Forest Service firefighters head out to control hot spots after the Station fire scorched through the valley in the Altadena and La Canada Flintridge foothills above Los Angeles. The out of control Station Fire tripled in size to more than 20,000 acres and burned towards homes from Pasadena to the San Fernando Valley.

Aug. 29

U.S. Forest Service firefighters head out to control hot spots after the Station fire scorched through the valley in the Altadena and La Canada Flintridge foothills above Los Angeles. The out of control Station Fire tripled in size to more than 20,000 acres and burned towards homes from Pasadena to the San Fernando Valley.

Kevork Djansezian-Getty Images

A large tanker flies over a wildfire on the southeast section of Gloria Fire in Soledad, Calif. Eight air tankers were in the area to help control the wildfires.

Aug. 29

A large tanker flies over a wildfire on the southeast section of Gloria Fire in Soledad, Calif. Eight air tankers were in the area to help control the wildfires.

Orville Myers-AP

Los Angeles County fire fighters Kevin Klar, left, Eric Tucker, center, and home owner Henrik Hairapetian, who stayed behind to protect his home, are illuminated by the glow of the Station Fire as it scorches a hillside. Gov. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency and ordered several counties in southern California to be evacuated.

Aug. 29

Los Angeles County fire fighters Kevin Klar, left, Eric Tucker, center, and home owner Henrik Hairapetian, who stayed behind to protect his home, are illuminated by the glow of the Station Fire as it scorches a hillside. Gov. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency and ordered several counties in southern California to be evacuated.

Kevork Djansezian-Getty Images

Fire burns near a tree during the Station Fire in the Big Tujunga canyon area of Los Angeles. Firefighters battling four wildfires around Los Angeles saved hundreds of homes in an affluent coastal community but struggled against a larger fire coming down the mountains toward another exclusive suburb.

Aug. 29

Fire burns near a tree during the Station Fire in the Big Tujunga canyon area of Los Angeles. Firefighters battling four wildfires around Los Angeles saved hundreds of homes in an affluent coastal community but struggled against a larger fire coming down the mountains toward another exclusive suburb.

Gene Blevins-Reuters

Flames burn along a ridge behind a home in the Big Tujunga Canyon. The Station fire has caused plumes of purple-gray smoke and has prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 homes on the northeastern edge of the Big Tujunga area near Los Angeles.

Aug. 29

Flames burn along a ridge behind a home in the Big Tujunga Canyon. The Station fire has caused plumes of purple-gray smoke and has prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 homes on the northeastern edge of the Big Tujunga area near Los Angeles.

Gene Blevins-Reuters

Greg Szot uses a garden hose to save a home in the city of La Canada Flintridge from a wildfire in the San Gabriel Mountains, 20 miles outside of downtown Los Angeles,

Aug. 29

Greg Szot uses a garden hose to save a home in the city of La Canada Flintridge from a wildfire in the San Gabriel Mountains, 20 miles outside of downtown Los Angeles,

Philip Scott Andrews-AP

A huge, white-topped cloud of smoke above the Station Fire has been measured as topping out at 20,000 feet by the National Weather Service radar. The cloud was high enough to turn white at its top and appears to be centered about 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

Aug. 29

A huge, white-topped cloud of smoke above the Station Fire has been measured as topping out at 20,000 feet by the National Weather Service radar. The cloud was high enough to turn white at its top and appears to be centered about 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

Kevork Djansezian-Getty Images

A night view of the fires along the ridgeline above the La Canada Flintridge area.

Aug. 28

A night view of the fires along the ridgeline above the La Canada Flintridge area.

Gene Blevins-Reuters

A large brush fire is seen near La Canada Flintridge. The fires in the area have continued to spread despite the absence of strong Santa Ana winds.

Aug. 28

A large brush fire is seen near La Canada Flintridge. The fires in the area have continued to spread despite the absence of strong Santa Ana winds.

Gus Ruelas-Reuters

Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook Text Editor Emily Kotecki, John Amick

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