In Pictures: 'California Wildfires August 31'

By James Wray Aug 31, 2009, 19:02 GMT

Flames approach a road near the top of Mount Wilson near Los Angeles, California, USA, on 31 August 2009. The Station fire doubled in size overnight and continues to threaten thousands of homes in the area. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

A Cal Trans vehicle tasked with clearing roads waits out a burst of flame near the top of Mount Wilson near Los Angeles, California, USA, on 31 August 2009. The Station fire doubled in size overnight and continues to threaten thousands of homes in the area. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

Firefighters watch the approach of flames near the top of Mount Wilson near Los Angeles, California, USA, on 31 August 2009. The Station fire doubled in size overnight and continues to threaten thousands of homes in the area. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows a firefighter spraying water on hot spots of a house that burned along Cedar Mist Ln. in Auburn, California on Aug. 30, 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows a firefighter spraying water on hot spots of a house that burned along Cedar Mist Lane in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows a water dropping helicopter hovers over Parkway Road, where some three dozen home were destroyed in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows firefighters from Grass Valley spraying water on hot spots of a house that burned along Parkway Road in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows a scorched horse statue standing in the front yard of a burned down home along Cedar Mist Lane in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows a raging uncapped gas main and red hot embers of a burned down home along Cedar Mist Lane in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows one of the many burned out cars and homes along Cedar Mist Lane in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA

A photograph made available 31 August, 2009 shows a raging uncapped gas main of a burned down home along Cedar Mist Lane in Auburn, California, USA, on 30 August 2009, after a fast moving wildfire swept through a business district and residential neighborhood destroying 60 structures. EPA/PETER DASILVA