Publication Date August 31, 2017 | Los Angeles Times

Heat wave, winds and low humidity fuel wildfires across California

United States
Over 1,100 firefighters are currently battling the Ponderosa Fire in Butte County that has destroyed ten homes. A suspect was arrested in connection with the fire Tuesday.
Over 1,100 firefighters are currently battling the Ponderosa Fire in Butte County that has destroyed ten homes. A suspect was arrested in connection with the fire Tuesday.

As a blistering heat wave gripped California this week, firefighters statewide tackled massive wildfires that forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

Temperatures across California were expected to surpass the 100-degree mark Thursday as strong winds in the western half of the state triggered red flag warnings and posed a significant danger to firefighters.

Across the state, firefighters were battling 16 wildfires — some as small as 29 acres and as large as 68,400 acres.