A man cleans up red fire retardant dropped by a firefighting jet in Lake Elsinore, California on Sunday, August 12.
Massive wildfires scorching California
A man cleans up red fire retardant dropped by a firefighting jet in Lake Elsinore, California on Sunday, August 12.
DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 2:38 PM EDT, Mon August 13, 2018

More than 14,000 firefighters are battling catastrophic wildfires that are ravaging parts of California.

The Mendocino Complex Fire has burned 290,000 acres, making it the largest in the state's history.

The deadliest of the blazes, the Carr Fire, is now the sixth-most destructive inferno in California history, state fire officials said.

A flag flies at half-staff amid the rubble of homes burned in the Carr Fire, on Sunday, August 12.
A flag flies at half-staff amid the rubble of homes burned in the Carr Fire, on Sunday, August 12.
John Locher/AP
Homes destroyed by a wildfire in Redding, California are seen from an aerial view on Friday, August 10
Homes destroyed by a wildfire in Redding, California are seen from an aerial view on Friday, August 10
Michael Burke/AP
A helicopter drops water on flames in Lake Elsinore, California, on Friday, August 10.
A helicopter drops water on flames in Lake Elsinore, California, on Friday, August 10.
Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Rose Wyckoff holds up three kittens August 10 in a Redding neighborhood that has been destroyed by the Carr Fire.
Rose Wyckoff holds up three kittens August 10 in a Redding neighborhood that has been destroyed by the Carr Fire.
John Locher/AP
King Bass, 6, and his 5-year-old sister, Princess, watch the Holy Fire burn from the top of their parents' car in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, August 9.
King Bass, 6, and his 5-year-old sister, Princess, watch the Holy Fire burn from the top of their parents' car in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, August 9.
Patrick Record/AP
Firefighters monitor a backfire while battling part of the Mendocino Complex Fire near Ladoga on Tuesday, August 7.
Firefighters monitor a backfire while battling part of the Mendocino Complex Fire near Ladoga on Tuesday, August 7.
Noah Berger/AP
A plane drops fire retardant behind homes as the Holy Fire burns in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, August 8.
A plane drops fire retardant behind homes as the Holy Fire burns in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, August 8.
Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register/AP
Firefighters work on stopping the Mendocino Complex Fire, which is made up of the River and Ranch fires.
Firefighters work on stopping the Mendocino Complex Fire, which is made up of the River and Ranch fires.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A firefighter makes his way down a hillside while battling the Mendocino Complex Fire on August 7.
A firefighter makes his way down a hillside while battling the Mendocino Complex Fire on August 7.
Noah Berger/AP
A supertanker jet flies above the Holy Fire near Lake Elsinore on August 7.
A supertanker jet flies above the Holy Fire near Lake Elsinore on August 7.
David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
Crystal Easter comforts her dogs as they flee a wildfire in Spring Valley on Monday, August 6.
Crystal Easter comforts her dogs as they flee a wildfire in Spring Valley on Monday, August 6.
Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP
The Carr and Ferguson fires are visible from space in an image taken by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst on Friday, August 3.
The Carr and Ferguson fires are visible from space in an image taken by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst on Friday, August 3.
NASA
Ventura County firefighters watch as a helicopter makes a drop on a hot spot in Scotts Valley on August 3.
Ventura County firefighters watch as a helicopter makes a drop on a hot spot in Scotts Valley on August 3.
Kent Porter /The Press Democrat/AP
An airplane drops fire retardant in Lakeport on Thursday, August 2.
An airplane drops fire retardant in Lakeport on Thursday, August 2.
Kent Porter /The Press Democrat/AP
Flames from a wildfire move up a ridge near Lakeport on August 2.
Flames from a wildfire move up a ridge near Lakeport on August 2.
Kent Porter /The Press Democrat/AP
Flames from a wildfire advance down a hillside near Lakeport on August 2.
Flames from a wildfire advance down a hillside near Lakeport on August 2.
Kent Porter/AP
A firefighter walks around a swimming pool that had been sprayed by fire retardant near Lakeport.
A firefighter walks around a swimming pool that had been sprayed by fire retardant near Lakeport.
Kent Porter/AP
An air tanker drops fire retardant near Redding on August 2.
An air tanker drops fire retardant near Redding on August 2.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
A tower of smoke pours from Cow Mountain as a firefighter keeps a watch on surrounding vegetation.
A tower of smoke pours from Cow Mountain as a firefighter keeps a watch on surrounding vegetation.
Kent Porter/AP
The Carr Fire can be seen from a commercial flight flying over Redding on Wednesday, August 1.
The Carr Fire can be seen from a commercial flight flying over Redding on Wednesday, August 1.
George Rose/Getty Images
Firefighters conduct a controlled burn to defend houses from the Ranch Fire as it moves toward Upper Lake.
Firefighters conduct a controlled burn to defend houses from the Ranch Fire as it moves toward Upper Lake.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
The Ranch and River fires make up the Mendocino Complex Fire, which has been raging in and near the southeast corner of the Mendocino National Forest, northwest of Sacramento.
The Ranch and River fires make up the Mendocino Complex Fire, which has been raging in and near the southeast corner of the Mendocino National Forest, northwest of Sacramento.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
A barn burns on Tuesday, July 31, as the River Fire moves through Lakeport.
A barn burns on Tuesday, July 31, as the River Fire moves through Lakeport.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A firefighter runs while trying to save a house in Lakeport.
A firefighter runs while trying to save a house in Lakeport.
Noah Berger/AP
Firefighters try to control a back burn as the Carr Fire spreads toward the towns of Douglas City and Lewiston on July 31.
Firefighters try to control a back burn as the Carr Fire spreads toward the towns of Douglas City and Lewiston on July 31.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
A woman leaves Lakeport as the River Fire approaches on July 31.
A woman leaves Lakeport as the River Fire approaches on July 31.
Noah Berger/AP
A house burns as the River Fire moves through the Lakeport area on July 31.
A house burns as the River Fire moves through the Lakeport area on July 31.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Firefighters in Upper Lake watch a back burn on July 31.
Firefighters in Upper Lake watch a back burn on July 31.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
The Carr Fire leaves cars destroyed near Redding on July 31.
The Carr Fire leaves cars destroyed near Redding on July 31.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Fire retardant is dropped near a home as the Mendocino Complex Fire burns near Lakeport on Monday, July 30.
Fire retardant is dropped near a home as the Mendocino Complex Fire burns near Lakeport on Monday, July 30.
Jose Luis Villegas/Sacramento Bee/ZUMAPRESS.com
A firefighter walks through smoke while fighting to save a winery in Lakeport on July 30.
A firefighter walks through smoke while fighting to save a winery in Lakeport on July 30.
Noah Berger/AP
A house near Finley burns from the Mendocino Complex Fire on July 30.
A house near Finley burns from the Mendocino Complex Fire on July 30.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Boats sit at Whiskeytown Lake, near where the Carr Fire originated, on Sunday, July 29.
Boats sit at Whiskeytown Lake, near where the Carr Fire originated, on Sunday, July 29.
Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Deer graze along a road covered in fire retardant as the Carr Fire burns near Redding on Saturday, July 28.
Deer graze along a road covered in fire retardant as the Carr Fire burns near Redding on Saturday, July 28.
Noah Berger/AP
A fire truck drives along Highway 299 as the Carr fire continues to burn near Whiskeytown on July 28.
A fire truck drives along Highway 299 as the Carr fire continues to burn near Whiskeytown on July 28.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
The setting sun is turned red by smoke from the Carr Fire on Friday, July 27.
The setting sun is turned red by smoke from the Carr Fire on Friday, July 27.
Fred Greaves/Reuters/Newscom
Burned-out properties are seen in Redding on July 27.
Burned-out properties are seen in Redding on July 27.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as the sun sets over a ridge burning near Redding on July 27.
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as the sun sets over a ridge burning near Redding on July 27.
Hector Amezcua/AP
A large pyrocumulus cloud explodes near Redding on July 27.
A large pyrocumulus cloud explodes near Redding on July 27.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
Flames from the Carr Fire burn through trees near Whiskeytown on July 27.
Flames from the Carr Fire burn through trees near Whiskeytown on July 27.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A burning home is reflected in a pool in Redding on July 27.
A burning home is reflected in a pool in Redding on July 27.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter monitors a backfire while battling the Carr Fire on July 27. The fire grew rapidly, ravaging several small communities and jumping the Sacramento River before threatening the outskirts of Redding.
A firefighter monitors a backfire while battling the Carr Fire on July 27. The fire grew rapidly, ravaging several small communities and jumping the Sacramento River before threatening the outskirts of Redding.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A firefighter lights backfires in Redding on July 27.
A firefighter lights backfires in Redding on July 27.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
The Cranston Fire burns in San Bernardino National Forest, near Idyllwild, on Thursday, July 26. The Cranston Fire has prompted thousands to flee their homes.
The Cranston Fire burns in San Bernardino National Forest, near Idyllwild, on Thursday, July 26. The Cranston Fire has prompted thousands to flee their homes.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The Carr Fire burns along Highway 299 on July 26.
The Carr Fire burns along Highway 299 on July 26.
Noah Berger/AP
The Carr Fire tears through Shasta on July 26.
The Carr Fire tears through Shasta on July 26.
Noah Berger/AP
A historic schoolhouse burns in Shasta on July 26.
A historic schoolhouse burns in Shasta on July 26.
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter walks along Highway 299 as the Carr Fire tears through Shasta on July 26.
A firefighter walks along Highway 299 as the Carr Fire tears through Shasta on July 26.
Noah Berger/AP
Smoke from the Ferguson Fire fills California's Yosemite Valley on Wednesday, July 25. Some of the most iconic areas of Yosemite National Park were forced to close because of the wildfire.
Smoke from the Ferguson Fire fills California's Yosemite Valley on Wednesday, July 25. Some of the most iconic areas of Yosemite National Park were forced to close because of the wildfire.
Noah Berger/AP