King Fire
The King Fire, the largest and most dangerous of eleven major wildfires raging across California, burns along Highway 50 in Fresh Pond.
Several thousand firemen are battling to contain the blaze, which has led to the evacuation of several thousand residents, with many more homes and buildings still under threat.
Judy Watt, who said she just purchased her dream home in Pollock Pines, watches smoke from the King Fire.
This year's California fire season, which traditionally runs from May to October, is on track to be the most destructive on record, state officials say.
The most populous U.S. state is suffering through a devastating three years of drought, which has dried out brush and trees, helping fuel the flames.
Slideshow
A helicopter decends to draws water from a lake as smoke rises from the King Fire.
Fire crews in California's rugged Sierra Nevada are battling to gain the upper hand against the blaze.
Brian Brennan of the Idaho City Hotshots watches the King Fire burn.
A jet drops retardant on the flames.
Firefighters from Cal Fire chat.
Angela Warden displays a "thank you" sign for the fire crews
Zach Brown of the U.S. Forest Service waits in a staging area near the fire.
Flames and smoke fill the sky.
A firefighter watches as a backfire burns along Highway 50.
Another sprays water on the flames.
The blaze continues to roar through dry timber and brush.
The fire has burned over 73,000 acres of state land in the El Dorado National Forest northeast of Sacramento.
In the forest, a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, numerous campgrounds and Highway 50 have been closed.
Firefighters check for hotspots.
A tree stump smoulders.
A fireman walks through the smoky air.
Fire officials monitor the King Fire from a heliport.
A helicopter drops water to stop the flames.