Updated Aug 27, 2020 - Science

In photos: Historic California wildfires ravage over 1 million acres

Calfire firefighters monitor a backfire as they worked the Walbridge fire in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve protecting the heritage trees in Guerneville, Calif., on Tuesday, August 25 — Firefighters monitor a backfire as they work the Walbridge fire in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve protecting the heritage trees in Guerneville, Calif. on Aug. 25. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency in California Wednesday, as hundreds of fires raze over 1.4 million acres in a natural disaster that's seen over 100,000 people placed on evacuation orders.

The big picture: At least seven deaths have been reported and dozens of properties razed amid dismal air quality. The fires have brought another crisis to a state reporting the most coronavirus infections in the country.

Catch up quick: Firefighters have been facing record-breaking temperatures, dry conditions and more than 13,000 lightning strikes, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Per Cal Fire, the LNU Lightning Complex has charred over 360,800 acres and forcing hundreds to evacuate. It's 33% contained as of Wednesday.

The blaze near Vacaville, known as the Hennessey Fire and part of the LNU Lightning Complex, has been one of the most destructive, burning down homes and claiming the life of a PG&E worker assisting first responders. This same blaze has damaged hundreds of structures.

The SCU Lightning Complex has razed almost 367,400 acres and was 30% contained.
The CZU August Lightning Complex resulted in the evacuation of more than 64,000 people, according to Cal Fire. In Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, roughly 48,000 residents were required to evacuate.

The wildfire has burned some 81,100 acres and was 21% contained as of Tuesday.

The River Fire in Monterey County was 58% contained as of Tuesday and prompted mandatory evacuations. More than 48,400 acres have been burned.

Of note: President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for California last Saturday.

Newsom declared a statewide emergency last week after the National Interagency Fire Center, which coordinates federal firefighting efforts, was put on its highest level of alert.