Stoked by fierce winds in Malibu, California, on October 22, 2007, hot embers from a wildfire glow and float, leaving bright streaks in this long-exposure photograph.
As of today, October 23, more than a dozen wildfires across southern California have destroyed some 1,300 homes; forced approximately 300,000 residents to evacuate; and charred 400 square miles.

A satellite image taken on October 21, 2007, shows plumes of smoke drifting westward from the Santa Clarita and Castaic area in California.
Major wildfires in southern California have burned about 240,000 acres (97,125 hectares) and uprooted hundreds of thousands of people as of October 23.

Houses and a car burn in the Canyon Country community of Santa Clarita, California, on October 21, 2007.

Smoke rises from the Malibu Presbyterian Church, destroyed in a wildfire on October 21, 2007.

An air tanker drops fire retardant on homes in Fallbrook, California, on October 22, 2007.

Fire evacuees set up camp at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, on October 22, 2007.

An unidentified woman sprays her roof with water as a wildfire approaches in Santa Clarita, California, on October 21, 2007.

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