California wildfires: Fighting the flames

An LA fire department helicopter works to contain the blaze, which has consumed around 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) of bush in the Los Angeles national forest Photograph: Michal Czerwonka/EPA

A firefighter tries to save a home from being destroyed as the wildfire hits Chatsworth Photograph: Gene Blevins/Reuters

Fire lights up the night over houses on the second day of the crisis. The fires have been fanned by the powerful Santa Ana winds Photograph: Gene Blevins/Reuters

Traffic builds as hillside residents flee their homes Photograph: Dan Steinberg/AP

A scorched swing hangs from a tree as fires burn in Chatsworth Photograph: Gene Blevins/Reuters

A 'super scooper' aircraft makes a water drop on flames in the Sylmar area Photograph: Rex Features

Two 'super scooper' aircraft have been rented from Canada to help with the firefighting operation Photograph: Rex Features

Firefighters prepare to tackle a forest fire in San Fernando Photograph: Jewel Samad/Getty

Residents evacuate their homes in the Tuscany development as smoke from the fire fills the air Photograph: David McNew/Getty

Residents gather possessions from their homes in Porter Ranch as a helicopter drops water on a nearby fire Photograph: Rex Features

Residents use garden hoses to damp down property as the flames approach in the Sylmar area Photograph: Rex Features

Horses are evacuated from the Stoney Point riding centre in Chatsworth Photograph: Ann Johansson/Getty

A member of the LA fire department works to contain wildfire in Sylmar Photograph: Michal Czerwonka/EPA

Members of the LA fire department Photograph: Michal Czerwonka/EPA

Mobile homes at the Sky Terrace mobile park were destroyed by the Merak fire Photograph: Rex Features

The Porter Ranch area is engulfed in smoke Photograph: Rex Features

A member of the LA fire department works to contain the Sylmar wildfire Photograph: Michal Czerwonka/EPA