As if the drought was not disastrous enough for California, a consequence of the state's dryness is that nearly 6,000 firefighters are battling 12 separate wildfires raging across the Golden State.

As the Cal Fire chief notes, "We've seen a lot more fires, and with those fires, more and more people are at threat. Every day we continue to see new fires ignite, forcing hundreds to evacuate," and the following images from the infernos suggest there is no end in sight as "we start to see winds pick up and conditions are at their driest."





Firefighters battling the King Fire watch as a backfire burns along Highway 50 in Fresh Pond, California











Flames and smoke from the King Fire fill the sky above Fresh Pond, California















Inmate firefighters battling the King Fire watch for flying embers











A jet drops retardant on the King Fire near Fresh Pond, California











A helicopter drops water while battling the King Fire near Fresh Pond, California

Source: Reuters