More than 1,000 homes torched in California wildfires

A massive wildfire in Northern California has torched more than 1,000 homes in and around the city of Redding, authorities has said as some evacuees were allowed to return home and new blazes exploded in what has become an endless summer of flame in the Golden State.

"Whatever resources are needed, we're putting them there," Gov. Jerry Brown said at a news conference yesterday.

"We're being surprised. Every year is teaching the fire authorities new lessons. We're in uncharted territory."
"We had this rain at the beginning of the year and all that did was promote the growing of grass and brush," McLean said. "It's a Catch-22. It's growing more product to catch on fire."
"Pay attention," he said. "Don't park the car on dry grass ... no campfires, no flame. It doesn't take anything to start a fire right now."
"Honestly, what I'm thinking right now is I just want this to end," Lytle said, adding that she was "exhausted in every way possible physically, emotionally, all of that."
"I told them to throw everything they care about in the back of the car," said Lew, 45. "I grabbed computers, cellphones, papers. I just started bagging all my paperwork up, clothes, my guitars."
"It's like three a year," he said. "It's kind of crazy."