![Firefighter covers his face while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas Firefighter covers his face while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-1.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Staff
![Firefighter covers his face while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas Firefighter covers his face while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-1.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Firefighters light a backfire while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas Firefighters light a backfire while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A cow grazes in a pasture as the Butte Fire burns Mountain Ranch A cow grazes in a pasture as the Butte Fire burns Mountain Ranch](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Flames from the Valley Fire cover a hillside along Highway 29 in Lower Lake Flames from the Valley Fire cover a hillside along Highway 29 in Lower Lake](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Firefighter Andrew Dodds monitors a backfire while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas Firefighter Andrew Dodds monitors a backfire while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Flames from a backfire on Highway 29 rise above a firefighter battling the Valley Fire in Lower Lake Flames from a backfire on Highway 29 rise above a firefighter battling the Valley Fire in Lower Lake](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-7.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Firefighter lights a backfire while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas Firefighter lights a backfire while battling the Butte fire near San Andreas](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wildfires-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com