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Photos: Stunning images of California’s 21 wildfires show nature’s terrible beauty in action

Firefighters work to dig a fire line on the Rocky Fire in Lake County, California July 30, 2015. The Rocky Fire broke out on Wednesday…
Firefighters work to dig a fire line on the Rocky Fire in Lake County, California July 30, 2015. The Rocky Fire broke out on Wednesday…
Image: Reuters/Max Whittaker
By
Svati Kirsten Narula
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When California governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency this weekend (Aug. 1), he said that severe drought and recent extreme weather have turned the state into a “tinderbox.” There are 21 wildfires raging throughout California today (Aug. 3), with many of them sparked by lightning strikes.

Photographers on the scenes are documenting the destruction of buildings and roads, dangerous work by firefighters, and otherworldly landscapes transformed by smoke and embers.

Firefighters working against the Rocky Fire on July 30.
Firefighters working against the Rocky Fire on July 30.
Image: Reuters/Max Whittaker

The Rocky Fire, California’s largest blaze right now, started on July 29 in Lake County, approximately 110 miles (180 km) north of San Francisco. It has since spread to three counties, burned 54,000 acres of land in five days, and prompted the mandatory evacuation of 12,000 residents.

Firefighters watch the Rocky Fire as it advances on July 30.
Firefighters watch the Rocky Fire as it advances on July 30.
Firefighters in Clearlake, California, on August 2.
Firefighters in Clearlake, California, on August 2.
Image: EPA/Noah Berger
Watching the Rocky fire burn near Clearlake, California, on August 1.
Watching the Rocky fire burn near Clearlake, California, on August 1.
Image: EPA/Noah Berger
The Rocky Fire, from afar, on August 2.
The Rocky Fire, from afar, on August 2.
Image: EPA/Noah Berger
A home near Lower Lake, California, is threatened by flames on July 31.
A home near Lower Lake, California, is threatened by flames on July 31.
Image: AP/Jeff Chiu
A patch of flames in the Kyburz Fire on July 24, near South Lake Tahoe. The Kyburz Fire shut down a major highway between California and Nevada.
A patch of flames in the Kyburz Fire on July 24, near South Lake Tahoe. The Kyburz Fire shut down a major highway between California and Nevada.
Image: AP/Rich Pedroncelli
The North Fire in San Bernardino County, shown here on July 17, destroyed dozens of cars on the local highway and in the community of Baldy Mesa.
The North Fire in San Bernardino County, shown here on July 17, destroyed dozens of cars on the local highway and in the community of Baldy Mesa.
Image: AP/Kevin Warn
Amid dust and smoke, these goats were set free from their pen near Lower Lake on July 31.
Amid dust and smoke, these goats were set free from their pen near Lower Lake on July 31.
A helicopter drops water on the Rocky Fire on July 30.
A helicopter drops water on the Rocky Fire on July 30.
Image: Reuters/Max Whittaker
Water drops from a helicopter above the Wragg Fire on July 23.
Water drops from a helicopter above the Wragg Fire on July 23.
Image: Reuters/Robert Galbraith
Flames run up an oak tree in the Rocky Fire on July 30.
Flames run up an oak tree in the Rocky Fire on July 30.
Image: Reuters/Max Whittaker