California

San Diego County wildfires

A firefighter from the Norco Conservation Camp shields his face from the heat of a backfire his crew set in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County. Five blazes in the area form the Vallecito Lightning Complex fire.

A firefighter from the Norco Conservation Camp shields his face from the heat of a backfire his crew set in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County. Five blazes in the area form the Vallecito Lightning Complex fire.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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More than 500 firefighters, along with air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, were fighting a series of wildfires in northeastern San Diego County on Wednesday. Read the story.

Water-dropping helicopters

A San Diego County firefighter fills a portable reservoir as a U.S. Navy helicopter takes off with another load of water to fight a wildfire in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Controlling a backfire

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ground crews control an intentionally set backfire along Montezuma Valley Road in Ranchita, Calif., on Wednesday. The backfire was set to stop the approaching wildfire burning through the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Wildfires and wildlife

A Norco Conservation Camp firefighter prompts a wood rat to hurry across Montezuma Valley Road near Ranchita, Calif., and away from an approaching wildfire. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

San Diego County wildfire

A U.S. Navy helicopter comes in to refill a water bucket in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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