California's King Fire

Alan Taylor
September 18, 2014
25 Photos
In Focus

The King Fire started about five days ago, in a California canyon 60 miles east of Sacramento, and has since burned an estimated 70,000 acres of steep forested terrain. The wildfire is one of nearly a dozen major blazes being fought across the state right now, driven in part by the ongoing severe drought conditions. The King Fire continues to grow (as of now, it is only 5 percent contained) and has prompted the evacuation of 2,000 residents so far. Firefighters plan to strengthen their control lines and protect as many of the 1,600 nearby homes as they can over the coming days.

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A firefighter battling the King Fire watches as a backfire burns along Highway 50 in Fresh Pond, California, on September 16, 2014. The fire led officials to call on about 2,000 people to evacuate from areas threatened by the blaze. It has charred more than 70,000 acres and is currently listed as 5 percent contained. #

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Flames and smoke from the King Fire fill the sky above Fresh Pond, California, on September 16, 2014. Picture taken with a long exposure. #

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Inmate firefighters battling the King Fire watch for flying embers while a backfire burns along Highway 50 in Fresh Pond on September 16, 2014. #

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A jet drops retardant on California's King Fire on September 16, 2014. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling the blaze in dense forest and steep terrain in El Dorado County. #

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Brian Brennan of the Idaho City Hotshots watches the King Fire burn near Fresh Pond, California, on September 17, 2014. #

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A helicopter prepares to draw water from a lake as smoke rises from the King Fire in Pollock Pines, California, on September 17, 2014. #

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A helicopter draws water from a lake while battling the King Fire in Pollock Pines, California, on September 17, 2014. #

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A helicopter drops water while battling the King Fire on September 16, 2014. #

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Inmate firefighters return to their truck after battling the King Fire near Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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An air tanker drops Foscheck fire retardant on a hillside ahead of the King Fire on September 17, 2014 in Pollock Pines, California. #

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The King Fire consumes trees on September 17, 2014 in Pollock Pines. #

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A firefighter uses a drip torch to start a backfire as he battles the King Fire in Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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A firefighter battling the King Fire sprays water on a backfire in Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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Firefighters battle the King Fire in Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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Firefighters monitor a backfire in Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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Firefighter Michael Klain watches as the King Fire burns near Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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A firefighter monitors a backfire as she battles the King Fire on September 17, 2014 in Fresh Pond, California. #

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A firefighter battling the King Fire watches a backfire burn along Highway 50 on September 16, 2014. #

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Firefighters monitor a backfire as they battle the King Fire on September 17, 2014. #

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A firefighter monitors a backfire as he battles the King Fire on September 17, 2014. #

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Firefighters battling the King Fire watch as a backfire burns along Highway 50 in Fresh Pond on September 16, 2014. #

Reuters/Noah Berger

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Firefighters battle the King Fire on September 17, 2014. #

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A firefighter battling the King Fire sprays water on a backfire in Fresh Pond on September 17, 2014. #

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Flames from the King Fire consumes trees on September 17, 2014 in Fresh Pond, California. #

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Firefighters take pictures with their mobile phones as they monitor a backfire while battling the King Fire on September 17, 2014 in Fresh Pond, California. Fire crews in California's rugged Sierra Nevada battle to gain the upper hand on against a blaze that threatens at least 2,000 homes and has displaced hundreds of residents as flames roared for a fifth day through dry timber and brush west of Lake Tahoe. #

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