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Image: Smoke is illuminated by the Whittier wildfire near Santa Ynez

U.S. news

Raging Wildfires Threaten Hundreds of Homes in California

The first major wildfires after the end of a five-year drought in California raged this weekend as the state baked in record-breaking heat.

/ 14 PHOTOS
Image: A firefighter sprays water as flames from a wildfire consume a residence near Oroville, Calif.

A firefighter sprays water as flames from a wildfire consume a residence near Oroville, in Northern California on July 9, 2017. The Butte County wildfire swept through grassy foothills and destroyed 10 structures, including homes, and led to several minor injuries.

— Noah Berger / AP
Image: Motorists drive past flames from the \"Wall Fire\" along Forbestown Road in Oroville, California

Motorists drive past flames from the "Wall Fire" along Forbestown Road near Oroville on July 8.

 

— Josh Edelson / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Smoke is illuminated by the Whittier wildfire near Santa Ynez

Smoke is illuminated by the Whittier wildfire near Santa Ynez, California on July 8.

— Michael Nekrasov / via Reuters
Image: An animal stands on a property as impending flames close in on a residential area in Oroville

A llama stands on a property as impending flames close in on a residential area in Oroville on July 8.

— Josh Edelson / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Firefighters remove a U.S. flag as flames from the \"Wall Fire\" close in on a luxury home in Oroville, California

Firefighters remove a U.S. flag as flames from the "Wall Fire" close in on a home in Oroville on July 8.

— Josh Edelson / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Firefighter Kern Kunst battles the Wall fire near Oroville, California

Firefighter Kern Kunst battles the "Wall fire" near Oroville on July 8. According to CalFire, the blaze has scorched 1,000 acres.

— Noah Berger / AP
Image: A car and house are engulfed in flames as the \"Wall Fire\" burns through a residential area in Oroville

A car and house are engulfed in flames as the "Wall Fire" burns through a residential area in Oroville on July 8.

— Josh Edelson / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A plume of smoke rises as impending flames from the 'Wall fire' approach Forbestown Road near Oroville

A plume of smoke rises as impending flames from the "Wall fire" approach Forbestown Road near Oroville on July 8.

— Josh Edelson / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A stove stands in front of a structure leveled by a wildfire near Oroville

A stove stands in front of a structure leveled by a wildfire near Oroville on July 8.

— Noah Berger / AP Photo
Image: Smoke rises from the Whittier Fire near Santa Barbara, California

Smoke rises from the Whittier Fire near Santa Barbara on July 8.

— Mike Eliason / Santa Barbara County Fire Department via Reuters
Image: A helicopter makes a water drop near Cachuma Lake in Los Padres National Forest as the 'Whittier' wildfire burns in Santa Barbara County, California

A helicopter makes a water drop near Cachuma Lake in Los Padres National Forest as the "Whittier" wildfire burns in Santa Barbara County, California on July 8.

In the middle of the afternoon, Santa Barbara officials sent out alerts to residents and campers near Cachuma Lake to evacuate as the fire started near Whittier Camp, county fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni said.

 

— Mike Eliason/SBC Fire Dept. / EPA
Image: Sean Greenlaw views his truck covered in fire retardant as a smoke plume billows in the background near Oroville

Sean Greenlaw looks at his truck covered in fire retardant as a smoke plume billows in the background near Oroville on July 8.

— Josh Edelson / AFP - Getty Images
Image:

An alligator statue sits next to a home that was destroyed by the "Wall Fire" in Oroville on July 9.

— Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Image: Firefighters battle a wildfire as it threatens to jump a road near Oroville, California

Firefighters battle a wildfire as it threatens to jump a road near Oroville on July 8.

— Noah Berger / AP
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