California drought: Helicopter falls apart while battling Angeles National Forest fire

Los Angeles County firefighters are battling a raging fire that spread to burn some structures in the Angeles National Forest on 16 August.

The Mountains north and east of Lake Castiac saw hundreds of acres catch on fire, with the potential of the fire spreading and burning some 2000 acres as the thick brush catches on fire, local news citing the fire department said. Fire personnel are dealing with triple digit temperatures, steep terrain and heavy, dry vegetation that can add extra fuel to the blaze. Some six structures have been reportedly burnt.

A helicopter that had been fighting the fire in nearby Montebello had lost power and made a hard landing in a cemetery, the LA County Fire Department said. All three people on board were uninjured, but footage shows the helicopter had lost its tail due to the forced landing.

In Montana, Governor Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency, deploying the state's National Guard to combat more than a dozen wildfires that have threatened homes and prompted authorities to advise residents to be prepared to flee should conditions worsen.

And in Idaho, the fast-moving Clearwater Complex fire was 15-percent contained early on Sunday after burning 50 houses and 75 outbuildings on the outskirts of the community of Kamiah.