In California, wildfires are a harsh reality. The Mountain Fire recently swept through Ventura County, leaving destruction in its wake. Dawn Deleon, whose house was burned down, had to make tough choices about what to save. She picked her pets, family photos, and a single bag of clothes. With climate change fueling fires, these hard decisions are becoming more common, especially in fire-prone areas like Southern California.

Strong Santa Ana winds drive these fires, turning palm trees into dark silhouettes against a blazing orange backdrop. Firefighters work tirelessly, pushing vintage cars to safety and battling flames that strip homes to their foundations. "It's not a question of 'if' but 'when' and 'how big' when it comes to wildfires here, " says Alex Hall from UCLA's Center for Climate Science.

Lives are saved, but many lose irreplaceable items. After the fire, residents sift through ash and rubble. Sometimes, they find surprising remnants, like a teapot with the word "blessed" scrawled in soot. Marvin Meador and Heidi Nardoni returned to their fire-ravaged homes, searching for any salvageable items.

Firefighters, both professional and inmate, fight these blazes with all their might. Jaime Hernandez has been protecting his home since 1988, spraying water to repel approaching flames. The Mountain Fire's devastation is clear in the burned-out vehicles and homes reflected in swimming pools.

Facing Wildfires in California: What Matters Most

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