Three Castle Rock Fire Department members deployed to southern California on Wednesday to support firefighters battling large wildfires around Los Angeles.

In a state that averages more than 7,500 wildfires a year some California homeowners keep helmets and fire hoses handy. However, the Los Angeles fires demonstrate a new reality: Wildfires in the state are growing larger and more ferocious and burning into suburbs and cities more often,

Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted last week and roared across the Los Angeles area.

Frustrated Los Angeles County evacuees are anxious to return to their houses to survey damage, retrieve necessities, figure out what their insured losses are and assess what can be salvaged of their remaining property.