Captured on Camera: Dramatic Moments from California's Wildfires

By AUTUMN JOHNSON (Patch Staff)

Wildfires have ripped through our hot, dry state the last few months, leaving a bleak wake of charred acreage across California. Drought conditions have made for dangerous conditions for residents and firefighters.

We take a look back at some of the incredible infernos and the dramatic moments captured on camera during the recent California wildfires.

Southern California:

• Firefighters Making Slow Progress in Lake Fire, 38% Contained
• Lake Fire Rages in San Bernardino Mountains for Third Day
• Firefighter Dads Battling Lake Fire Find ‘Thank You’ Messages on Father’s Day
• San Timoteo Canyon Fire Blackened 70 Acres
• Interstate 15 Reopens After Cajon Pass Fire
• North Fire 5 Percent Contained, 3,500-plus Acres Burned
• Moreno Valley Brush Fire Shuts Down 1 Lane on 60 Freeway
• Merwin Fire 95 Percent Contained
• Brush Fire in Lake Elsinore Closes Ortega Highway
• Firefighters Quickly Stop Spread of Temecula Fire
• Crews Douse Brush Fire Near Palm Springs
• Thermal Brush Fire is 95 Percent Contained
• Palomar Mountain Fire Out
• Wildcat Fire at 150 Acres Burned, Not Contained

Northern California:

• 14 Wildfires Now Raging Throughout California: SEE LIST, PHOTOS
• Wragg Fire Update: 70 Percent Contained By Monday A.M. In Napa, Solano Counties
• Morning Fire Threatens Homes, Burns 8 Acres In Lafayette
• Rocky Fire Balloons Overnight To 8,000 Acres: SEE PHOTOS
• Fire Underway Saturday Near Hwy 101 In Morgan Hill Area
• Crews Knock Down Fire Near Hwy 24
• Now It’s #RockyFire Blazing In North Bay
• Wragg Fire Flare-Up: 150 Acres On Tuesday Afternoon
• Tractor Sparks Vegetation Fire in Livermore
• Brush Fire on Army Reserve Base Contained at 250 Acres
• Fire Burning on Dublin Camp Parks Contained
• Firefighters Working to Knock Down Vegetation Fire in San Ramon
• Fire Officials Release Cause of Danville Vegetation Fire
• Contractors Using Grinder Sparked 100-Acre Grass Fire in Danville Tuesday
• WATCH: 60-Acre Brush Fire Near Elementary School in Danville Contained
• Firefighters Investigating Moller Ranch Fire
• Vegetation Fire Alongside I-680 Near Sunol Under Control
• Fire Crews Contain Vegetation Fire in Pleasanton

Read more about the dangers of drones hampering firefighting efforts:

• Drones Grounding Firefighting Aircraft in California
• New Legislation Would Allow the Shoot-down of Drones

Photo by Al Francis of NapaSonomaPhotos.com. Views on Wednesday, July 29 evening of #RockyFire in Lake County.