Wildfires are blazing new records as they burn in 15 Western states

By Brandon Miller, CNN

Updated 2:42 PM ET, Fri August 21, 2020

Firefighters look out over a burning hillside as they fight the Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda, California, on Monday, October 26.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
Firefighters look out over a burning hillside as they fight the Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda, California, on Monday, October 26.
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A man evacuates his home as flames from the Blue Ridge Fire approach in Chino Hills, California, on Tuesday, October 27.
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A man evacuates his home as flames from the Blue Ridge Fire approach in Chino Hills, California, on Tuesday, October 27.
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Firefighters conduct a backfire operation in Chino Hills on October 27.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
Firefighters conduct a backfire operation in Chino Hills on October 27.
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A firefighter uses a hose as the Silverado Fire approaches near Irvine, California.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
A firefighter uses a hose as the Silverado Fire approaches near Irvine, California.
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Firefighter Raymond Vasquez battles the Silverado Fire in Irvine on Monday, October 26.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
Firefighter Raymond Vasquez battles the Silverado Fire in Irvine on Monday, October 26.
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Flames rise from mountain ridges near a farmstead as a wildfire burns near Granby, Colorado, on Thursday, October 22.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
Flames rise from mountain ridges near a farmstead as a wildfire burns near Granby, Colorado, on Thursday, October 22.
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Evacuees drive through a traffic jam exiting Big Thompson Canyon as the East Troublesome Fire forced residents out of Estes Park, Colorado, on October 22.
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Evacuees drive through a traffic jam exiting Big Thompson Canyon as the East Troublesome Fire forced residents out of Estes Park, Colorado, on October 22.
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Structures burned by the Cal-Wood Fire are seen in Boulder County, Colorado, on October 18.
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Structures burned by the Cal-Wood Fire are seen in Boulder County, Colorado, on October 18.
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Flames from the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in Colorado history, work their way along a ridge outside Estes Park on October 16.
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Flames from the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in Colorado history, work their way along a ridge outside Estes Park on October 16.
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An airplane drops fire retardant on the Bruder Fire in Redlands, California, on October 15.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
An airplane drops fire retardant on the Bruder Fire in Redlands, California, on October 15.
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Dr. Alex Herman, right, and veterinary technician Linden West examine <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/us/mountain-lion-cub-rescued-california-zogg-fire/index.html" target="_blank">Captain Cal,</a> a 6-week-old mountain lion cub recovering from severe burn injuries at the Oakland Zoo Hospital in Oakland, California. The zoo later took in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/10/11/us/oakland-zoo-mountain-lion-rescued-from-wildfire-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">two more cubs rescued</a> from the same fire.
Photos: Wildfires burning in the West
Dr. Alex Herman, right, and veterinary technician Linden West examine Captain Cal, a 6-week-old mountain lion cub recovering from severe burn injuries at the Oakland Zoo Hospital in Oakland, California. The zoo later to