A U.S. Forest Service plane drops a line of fire retardant near the Station Fire, which burns in the hills above an Acton, California, home on August 30, 2009. Two firefighters have been killed and at least 21 residences have been destroyed as the fire continues to rage through the foothills north of Los Angeles.

More than 6,600 people have been evacuated as of August 31, while 2,800 firefighters, 12 helicopters, and 8 air tankers struggle to contain the out-of-control blaze.

"We are making progress," Forest Service incident commander Mike Dietrich said at a Monday morning news conference. "But it is very slow and very dangerous."

Read more about the increase in seasonal wildfires in the U.S. West >>