Thank you firefighters: Dramatic photos illustrate exhausting battle against California wildfires

Thousands of firefighters are risking their lives to battle dozens of wildfires burning across California this week.

Destructive blazes broke out in Riverside, Simi Valley, Santa Paula, San Bernardino and many other locations.

Above is a photographic tribute to those on the front lines of the firefight.

MORE: Here's every fire burning in Southern California

Fires continued to ravage Southern California and thousands were forced to evacuate after multiple brush fires erupted across the Southland on Thursday.

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