In pictures: US inferno

As blazes continue to rage across 11 US states, the governor of Montana is considering whether to bar the public from state grasslands and forests because of the danger from rampant wildfires.

Aerial attacks have failed to douse the flames.

Firefighters are involved in an intense battle. The blazes have consumed more than 5.5 million acres of land this year.

Protective clothing is the firefighters' only armour.

The sun sets on the smoke-shrouded Teton mountain range in Wyoming.

Firefighters take a break after climbing 1,500 feet to cut a fire line

Amid the devastation, there was one lucky survivor. This injured bear cub was rescued after apparently losing its mother.