Wildfire season in California intensified this week with three raging blazes exploding in size amid hot, windy weather and firefighters battling flames to save threatened communities in the southern part of the state.

The latest in a spate of dangerous wildfires plaguing Southern California spread quickly after sparking Monday afternoon, within hours emitting ominous plumes of black smoke. The Airport Fire in Orange County had grown to 9,

The Airport Fire in Orange County, California continues to grow and was likely caused by crews putting together a project meant to help prevent fires.