U.S. wildfires 2012: Photos from some of the nation’s fires

Destroyed homes sit beside a home left untouched by fire in a neighborhood affected by the Waldo Canyon fire on June 30 in Colorado Springs, Colo.  (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

Homes destroyed by the Waldo Canyon fire are seen from the air in a neighborhood on June 30 in Colorado Springs, Colo.  (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

The Waldo Canyon wildfire can be seen as it moves into subdivisions of Colorado Springs, Colo.  (Galon Wampler / Associated Press)

A helicopter joins the fight against the Waldo Canyon fire as flames race down into western portions of Colorado Springs, Colo.  (Bryan Oller / Associated Press)

A helicopter makes a water drop on the High Park wildfire near Fort Collins, Colo., on June 11. As of June 13, firefighters had gotten a handle on containing the fire, which reportedly had burned more than 46,000 acres and was months away from being fully controlled.

More: High Park fire particularly fierce  (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

Fire burns in trees behind homes in the High Park wildfire near Fort Collins, Colo., on June 11.

More: Fatality in Colorado wildfire   (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

Fire burns through trees on June 11 as the High Park wildfire rages.

More: Wolf drama amid wildfire  (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

A massive blaze scorched Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico. It’s been deemed the largest fire in New Mexico history. According to NASA, the fire began in two separate incidents -- both sparked by lightning. The Baldy fire started May 9; the Whitewater fire, about 10 miles northwest, started May 16. The two fires merged May 23.

Background: New Mexico fire resilient  (U.S. Forest Service / Associated Press)

Mike Westfall and his crew try to keep the Banner fire from crossing a San Diego County road on May 25. About 100 homes were temporarily evacuated in the Shelter Valley area along Highway 78 during the early stages of the fire.

More: Evacuation order lifted; map of fire area  (Gregory Bull / Associated Press)

Firefighter Jay Dimoff, of the San Bernardino County Fire Department, was among crews battling the Banner fire. The blaze broke out May 24 east of Julian near Banner Grade. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire has burned 5,321 acres of forest and was fully contained as of May 29.  (Gregory Bull / Associated Press)

Firefighter Scott Abraham, of the San Bernardino County Fire Department, sprays water on blazing brush May 25 near Julian, Calif.   (Gregory Bull / Associated Press)

A lightning strike caused the Duck Lake fire in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The fire burned 21,069 acres and damaged or destroyed 136 structures.   (Michigan Department of Natural Resources / Associated Press)

The Duck Lake fire, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was fully contained as of June 9, according to InciWeb.  (Michigan Department of Natural Resources / Associated Press)

A May 26 photo shows acreage blackened in the Duck Lake fire. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, according to InciWeb, has had an abnormally warm and dry spring. Winter was relatively dry also.

Related: More global warming, more wildfires, study says   (Michigan Department of Natural Resources / Associated Press)

Firefighters battle a wildfire south of Gardnerville, Nev., on May 22. The cause of the fire, which started May 22, is under investigation. It was fully contained May 26 after burning 7,152 acres.  (Cathleen Allison / Associated Press)

A building goes up in flames May 22 during the Topaz Ranch Estates fire in Nevada. Two homes and 17 outbuildings were destroyed in the fire, according to InciWeb.   (Cathleen Allison / Associated Press)

Cooler temperatures and some precipitation reportedly helped firefighters to contain Nevada’s Topaz Ranch Estates fire five days after its start.  (Cathleen Allison / Associated Press)