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Homes left and lost as wildfires rage across west

Wildfires chased residents from neighborhoods in Washington state, where 24 structures burned, and in California, where flames raged uncomfortably close to a historic mission. In Alaska, rain helped suppress fire activity.

Here's a look at hotspots around the West:

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WASHINGTON

Residents of several hundred homes fled when a blaze erupted Sunday outside Wenatchee and spread out of control in hot and windy weather, destroying 24 structures, including houses.

"There was fire in so many places," said Albert Rookard, who lives across the Wenatchee River from the fire.

There were no immediate reports of injuries as the blaze burned more than 4 square miles about 120 miles east of Seattle. Railroad traffic through the area was shut down.

However, the railroad helped battle the blaze by spraying water from tank cars and transferring water to firefighting trucks.

Eastern Washington has been experiencing temperatures in the 100s. Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation that allows the quick use of state resources to respond to wildfires.

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ALASKA

The state had 612 wildfires on Monday, but only two new ones that broke out a day earlier.

Weekend rains brought relief to fire crews, and there were no new evacuations. Conditions were expected to heat up later in the week.

6,000-acre wildfire in Alaska displaces residents 00:26

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

A 300-acre wildfire that broke out Monday afternoon in a brushy, rural area of Lompoc prompted authorities to order the evacuation of 1,200 people and their livestock.

No structures were damaged, but the flames burned not far from historic La Purisima Mission, 150 miles north of Los Angeles. Constructed in 1787, La Purisima is one of 21 Spanish-style California missions built by Franciscan priests.

With temperatures in the 60s, authorities sought to get a quick jump on the blaze, dispatching 200 firefighters and several water-dropping air tankers and helicopters. By Monday evening, the blaze was 55 percent contained and the aircraft had returned to their base.

California crews battle wildfire amid historic drought 02:04

Farther south, a 48-square-mile forest fire that has burned for nearly two weeks in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles was showing little activity as monsoons flowed through the region.

The U.S. Forest Service said, however, that heat remained along most of the perimeter, and pockets of unburned fuel continued to erupt.

The monsoons were predicted to continue for several days. More than 2,200 firefighters were on the lines.

The fire has destroyed only one residence and three other buildings. Firefighting costs topped $30 million.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

The flow of humid, unstable air unleashed hundreds of lightning bolts that ignited three dozen wildfires that were kept small by an aggressive deployment of firefighters.

Progress was also being made on fires that were previously burning.

A 28-square-mile blaze south of Markleeville in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest was 45 percent contained, while a 500-acre blaze in Madera County was fully surrounded.

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