Huge California fire grows as Montana blaze threatens towns

The Dixie Fire is the largest single fire in California history (Elias Funez/The Union via AP)

California’s largest single wildfire in recorded history continued to grow after destroying nearly 550 homes while authorities in Montana ordered evacuations as a wind-driven blaze roared toward several remote communities.

The dangerous fires are among some 100 large blazes burning on Wednesday across 15 states, mostly in the West, where historic drought conditions have left lands parched and ripe for ignition.