In pictures: California wildfires

1 of 6 The first wildfires broke out on Sunday in southern California after a drought and an unusual heat wave, with temperatures as high as 37C (100F).

2 of 6 Separate blazes now cover hundreds of hectares and many homes have been evacuated.

3 of 6 Other homes have been damaged and a University of California research facility in Riverside County was destroyed.

4 of 6 The first fires of the season also damaged vehicles.

5 of 6 Firefighters have been lighting fires in a bid to contain the blazes by robbing them of fuel.

6 of 6 The region's fire season began three weeks earlier than in 2003. Last year, such fires left at least 20 dead, destroyed over 2,000 homes and scorched vast tracts of land.