1:56 PM
Firefighter Dies Battling California Wildfires
One of 8,000 firefighters drafted in to tackle fires in California is killed as the area enters a state of emergency.
A firefighter has died battling one of more than a dozen wildfires burning across drought-hit California.
The firefighter, named as 38-year-old David Ruhl from South Dakota, went missing while battling a blaze in the Modoc Forest, about 100 miles south of the Oregon border, the US Forest Service said.
His body was not recovered until Friday.
Mr Ruhl was one of 8,000 firefighters deployed to tackle 21 large wildfires which have burned through thousands of acres of land.
Two dozen homes have been destroyed and thousands of people have fled.
California's governor Edmund Brown paid tribute to Mr Ruhl, shortly after declaring a state of emergency across the state.
"Firefighter Ruhl will be remembered for his service and bravery and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues with the US Forest Service," he said in a statement.
He also tweeted: "Our courageous firefighters are on the front lines and we'll do everything we can to help them."
Wildfires are not uncommon in California, however they have been exacerbated this year by bone-dry conditions.
Mr Ruhl had been working with California firefighters since June.
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