California wildfires kill 8 people, and brutal heat spells more danger
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California wildfires
In this Friday, July 27, 2018 photo, a firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as the sun sets over a ridge burning near Redding, Calif., in efforts against the Carr Fire. Scorching heat, winds and dry conditions complicated firefighting efforts. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/ AP
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BIG BEND, CA - NOVEMBER 10: The Camp Fire burns in the hills on November 10, 2018 near Big Bend, California. Fueled by high winds and low humidity the Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise charring 105,000 acres, killed 23 people and has destroyed over 6,700 homes and businesses. The fire is currently at 20 percent containment. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A plane drops fire retardant on a burning hillside Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Flames burn inside a van as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of people fled a fast-moving wildfire Thursday in Northern California, some clutching babies and pets as they abandoned vehicles and struck out on foot ahead of the flames that forced the evacuation of an entire town and destroyed hundreds of structures. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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An airplane flies over a large wildfire plume from a recent flareup of the Woolsey Fire near Lake Sherwood, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. Forecasters had warned of continuing fire danger in Southern California due to persistent Santa Ana winds, the withering, dry gusts that sweep out of the interior toward the coast, pushing back moist ocean breezes. (AP Photo/Amanda Myers)
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A firefighter runs while trying to save a home as a wildfire tears through Lakeport, Calif., Tuesday, July 31, 2018. The residence eventually burned. Firefighters pressed their battle against a pair of fires across Mendocino and Lake counties. In all, roughly 19,000 people have been warned to flee and 10,000 homes remain under threat. Noah Berger/AP
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The mammoth infernos raging across California will likely get worse before they get better, with menacing weather forecast for the rest of the week.
Eight people have already died from two of the most destructive wildfires – the Carr and Ferguson fires.
Smoke from the Carr and Ferguson fires can be seen in satellite images.
NOAA
“California can expect to see hot, dry and breezy conditions through the end of the week,” CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said.
“California can expect to see hot, dry and breezy conditions through the end of the week,” CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said.
Temperatures will soar into the lower 100s in many places, Norman said, and whipping winds will be “wildly fluctuating as the fires generate their own localized wind.”
Here’s a look at some of the most dangerous wildfires burning in the state now:
A man cleans up red fire retardant dropped by a firefighting jet in Lake Elsinore, California on Sunday, August 12.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
John Locher/AP
A flag flies at half-staff amid the rubble of homes burned in the Carr Fire, on Sunday, August 12.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Michael Burke/AP
Homes destroyed by a wildfire in Redding, California are seen from an aerial view on Friday, August 10
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
A helicopter drops water on flames in Lake Elsinore, California, on Friday, August 10.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
John Locher/AP
Rose Wyckoff holds up three kittens August 10 in a Redding neighborhood that has been destroyed by the Carr Fire.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Patrick Record/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.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
Firefighters monitor a backfire while battling part of the Mendocino Complex Fire near Ladoga on Tuesday, August 7.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register/AP
A plane drops fire retardant behind homes as the Holy Fire burns in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, August 8.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Firefighters work on stopping the Mendocino Complex Fire, which is made up of the River and Ranch fires.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter makes his way down a hillside while battling the Mendocino Complex Fire on August 7.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
A supertanker jet flies above the Holy Fire near Lake Elsinore on August 7.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP
Crystal Easter comforts her dogs as they flee a wildfire in Spring Valley on Monday, August 6.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
NASA
The Carr and Ferguson fires are visible from space in an image taken by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst on Friday, August 3.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter /The Press Democrat/AP
Ventura County firefighters watch as a helicopter makes a drop on a hot spot in Scotts Valley on August 3.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter /The Press Democrat/AP
An airplane drops fire retardant in Lakeport on Thursday, August 2.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter /The Press Democrat/AP
Flames from a wildfire move up a ridge near Lakeport on August 2.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter/AP
Flames from a wildfire advance down a hillside near Lakeport on August 2.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter/AP
A firefighter walks around a swimming pool that had been sprayed by fire retardant near Lakeport.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
An air tanker drops fire retardant near Redding on August 2.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Kent Porter/AP
A tower of smoke pours from Cow Mountain as a firefighter keeps a watch on surrounding vegetation.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
George Rose/Getty Images
The Carr Fire can be seen from a commercial flight flying over Redding on Wednesday, August 1.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters conduct a controlled burn to defend houses from the Ranch Fire as it moves toward Upper Lake.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
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.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A barn burns on Tuesday, July 31, as the River Fire moves through Lakeport.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter runs while trying to save a house in Lakeport.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters try to control a back burn as the Carr Fire spreads toward the towns of Douglas City and Lewiston on July 31.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
A woman leaves Lakeport as the River Fire approaches on July 31.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A house burns as the River Fire moves through the Lakeport area on July 31.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters in Upper Lake watch a back burn on July 31.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
The Carr Fire leaves cars destroyed near Redding on July 31.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Jose Luis Villegas/Sacramento Bee/ZUMAPRESS.com
Fire retardant is dropped near a home as the Mendocino Complex Fire burns near Lakeport on Monday, July 30.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter walks through smoke while fighting to save a winery in Lakeport on July 30.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
A house near Finley burns from the Mendocino Complex Fire on July 30.
Boats sit at Whiskeytown Lake, near where the Carr Fire originated, on Sunday, July 29.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
Deer graze along a road covered in fire retardant as the Carr Fire burns near Redding on Saturday, July 28.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
A fire truck drives along Highway 299 as the Carr fire continues to burn near Whiskeytown on July 28.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Fred Greaves/Reuters/Newscom
The setting sun is turned red by smoke from the Carr Fire on Friday, July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Burned-out properties are seen in Redding on July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Hector Amezcua/AP
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as the sun sets over a ridge burning near Redding on July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
A large pyrocumulus cloud explodes near Redding on July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Flames from the Carr Fire burn through trees near Whiskeytown on July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
A burning home is reflected in a pool in Redding on July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Justin Sullivan/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.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter lights backfires in Redding on July 27.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Mario Tama/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.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
The Carr Fire burns along Highway 299 on July 26.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
The Carr Fire tears through Shasta on July 26.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
A historic schoolhouse burns in Shasta on July 26.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter walks along Highway 299 as the Carr Fire tears through Shasta on July 26.
Photos: Massive wildfires scorching California
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.
The Carr Fire was 35% contained early Wednesday, Cal Fire said.
Redding police said everyone reported missing in Shasta County had been found. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said it took 60 missing persons reports in the early days of the fire.
Josh Lister and his family lost their home and belongings after the fire swept through Redding, a city of almost 100,000 people.
More than 4,000 fire personnel are battling the flames, but triple-digit heat, shifting winds, dry fuel and steep terrain are working against them, officials said. Roughly 15,000 residents have been evacuated.
The flames were sparked July 23 by the mechanical failure of a vehicle, Cal Fire said. Since then, it has destroyed more than 1,018 homes.
Ferguson Fire kills 2 people
An abundance of trees killed by drought and bark beetles has helped the Ferguson Fire spread quickly.
NOAH BERGER/AFP/Getty Images
After 20 days of destruction, the Ferguson Fire in central California was only 39% contained as of Wednesday.
Two people have been killed in the fire, but no houses have been damaged or destroyed, fire officials said – although about 2,800 structures are threatened.
A huge problem facing firefighters is that the flames are largely burning in steep, inaccessible terrain.
Unlike the Carr Fire, authorities don’t know what started the Ferguson Fire, which has now engulfed nearly 63,000 acres.
Wildfires ‘we have historically never seen’ before
