Wildfire smoke billows into the air along Sherman Pass Road in the Sequoia National Forest on July 23. A 48,000-acre blaze threatened to destroy treasured groves of giant sequoias in the park.
Break From Battle
An exhausted firefighter from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection sleeps under a fire truck near Topaz, Calif., July 16.
Lights Of Las Vegas
The 2,400-acre Lost Cabin fire burns near Las Vegas, July 16.
Turned Away
Disappointed Cold Springs, Nev., resident Erick Walck sits in his Jeep after fire officials refused to allow him to enter the town, July 17.
Sign Of Appreciation
Firefighters are thanked for their efforts in containing a wildfire on the Southern Nevada and Northern California border, July 17.
Home Assessment
A firefighter talks with landowners at the Winter Fire near Paisley, Ore., July 16. Several homes narrowly escaped burning, but windows were blown out and walls were scorched.
Strategy Meeting
Supervisor Robb Ginn, right, meets with a fire crew as smoke from a wildfire rises over a ridge near Sisters, Ore., July 18.
Memorial
Flowers adorn the fence at the fueling station for firefighting aircraft at Colorado's Jefferson County Airport, July 19. The planes were grounded after an air tanker based there crashed while dumping a load of retardant on the Big Elk fire, killing both firefighters on board.
On The Ridge
Smoke rises into the air as a firefighter stands on a ridge above the foothills of Boulder, Colo., July 20.
Among The Ashes
With his girlfriend Anita Langley looking on, Mark Flick sorts through tools and other items recovered from the ashes of their burned home, July 17. Their home near Deckers, Colo., was gutted in June by the 137,000-acre Hayman fire.
Fire In The Sky
The Deer Point fire glows in the night sky above Manson, Wash., July 19. The fire forced the evacuation of nearly 300 area homes.
Fill 'Er Up
Water from the Kern River is sucked up by a helicopter heading out to fight California's McNally fire, July 22.
Waterfall
A sky crane helicopter makes a water drop through heavy smoke near Bodfish, Calif., July 21.
Hot Spots
A firefighter looks for hot spots at the Deer Point fire in Manson, Wash., July 22.
Flame Thrower
Firefighter Dave "Ozzie" Osborn uses a flare gun to ignite the upper portion of a slope near the north end of Oregon's Winter fire, July 22.
Warning Signs
The Deer Point fire in Washington state burned straight through a sign warning visitors to put out their campfires at Antilon Lake, July 23.