BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Your pictures: Fighting the Californian fires

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Friday, 26 October 2007, 14:48 GMT 15:48 UK

Your pictures: Fighting the Californian fires

Firefighters. Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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Chris Johnson and Dale Franks, amateur photographers from Escondido, sent us pictures of the efforts by firefighters to allow residents to return to their homes in their region.

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"The Fire Incident Command Center is located at one of the few places in the area with adequate space for parking and logistical support."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"The firefighters are working 24 hours on and 24 hours off, in theory. Although the '24 on' portion has often worked out to 30 to 40 hours working."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"In general, firefighters concentrate on diverting the fire from structures, or fighting the fire in a defensible area around them. Unfortunately, they aren't always successful."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"This residence in the San Deguito River valley amazingly suffered only minor damage. The fire burned straight up the hill."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"This homeowner was not lucky. A small, narrow canyon leads off the valley, straight up to this house. When fire enters a narrow valley, it becomes concentrated."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"The bottom 15 feet or so of this power pole burned completely away. Careful driving is a must in this area."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"While residents are not allowed back into the area, utility companies have begin the work of surveying the damage and commencing repairs."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"The California National Guard man additional checkpoints inside the perimeter to catch any stray people that might make it through the outer cordon."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"As the day come to a close, we visited the evacuation shelter at Escondido High School. A few are unable to find shelter in the gymnasium, so they sleep outdoors."

Photo: Chris Johnson and Dale Franks

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"Still some of the evacuees managed to bring some comforts with them." You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. See terms and conditions on the right.

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