Massive fires rage in California
Thousands of firefighters continued to battle huge wildfires in California on Monday, where a prolonged drought has left vegetation tinder-dry. Since July 22, California has been threatened by blazes like the massive Soberanes fire which has charred 40,618 acres (16,437 hectares) north of Big Sur, one of the region's most popular tourist draws with its sharp cliffs rising above the Pacific Ocean. CalFire said high temperatures were making it rough going for the some 1,300 firefighters battling that blaze.