Firefighters monitor a fire as it burns near the suburb of Glendale on the outskirts of Los Angeles city on September 1, 2009.

A general view of the Angeles National Mill Creek Ranger Station in ruins after day seven of the Station Fire September 1, 2009. Firefighters took advantage of a turn in the weather on Tuesday to gain ground against the enormous wildfire burning for a week above Los Angeles, saying they now hoped to drive the flames away from historic Mount Wilson, a key telecommunications site.


A deadly wildfire roared out of control above Los Angeles, leaving two firefighters dead, forcing thousands to flee and threatening a crucial telecommunications facility.


A firefighter tries to save an oak tree during a controlled burn in the suburb of Glendale on the outskirts of Los Angeles city on September 1, 2009.


Flames approach houses during a controlled burn in the suburb of Glendale on the outskirts of Los Angeles city on September 1, 2009. A deadly wildfire roared out of control above Los Angeles, leaving two firefighters dead, forcing thousands to flee and threatening a crucial telecommunications facility. The monster blaze raging in mountains north of the densely populated metropolis had ripped through more than 105,000 acres (43,000 hectares) of tinder-dry forest and was 'spreading in every direction,' authorities said. An army of more than 2,500 firefighters was battling the blaze in the Angeles National Forest which remained only five percent contained and sent a giant white mushroom cloud of smoke across the city.


An air tanker drops fire retardants to fight wildfire burning in Acton, California September 1, 2009. Firefighters took advantage of a turn in the weather on Tuesday to make a stand against the enormous wildfire burning above Los Angeles, saying they now hoped to drive the flames away from historic Mount Wilson.


LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 31: Two Super Scooper fire fighting planes are seen parked at Van Nuys airport after they arrived before their scheduuled arrival from Canada to fight the Station Fire on August 31, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.


LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 31: Mushrooming clouds rise to sky as the Station Fire gradually marches west towards the communities of Acton Agua, Dulce, and Sunland Tujanga on August 31, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.


LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 31: A large mushroom cloud from the Station Fire is seen above Angeles National Forest as the blaze marches westward towards the communities of Sunland and Tujanga on August 31, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

credit photo: Getty Images.