Firefighters Gain Ground on California Wildfires as Heat Wave Intensifies

Containment efforts advance but new blazes and extreme temperatures challenge crews across the state

Thompson Fire containment rises to 46%, with 25 structures destroyed and 17,000 residents returning home.
French Fire near Yosemite prompts evacuations, burning over 840 acres with 5% containment.
Numerous wildfires erupt across California, driven by dried vegetation from recent wet winters.
Heat wave extends across the West, with temperatures forecast to reach 130°F in Death Valley.
Firefighters face hazardous conditions, including extreme heat and rugged terrain, complicating containment efforts.