Fighting the Flames.(science News)

The wildfires that recently swept through southern California have been called one of the Golden State's worst natural disasters. The raging wildfires destroyed homes, businesses, and forests. Nearly 750,000 acres burned--an area of land about the size of Rhode Island. "The whole sky seemed as if it was on fire," said one California resident.

Investigators say both people and nature were to blame for the fires. The fires spread rapidly because of the Santa Ana winds, which blow hot, dry air from the desert. Cold and rainy weather eventually rolled in to help quench the flames.

A Destructive Path

About 15,000 firefighters battled flames that were out …