Weather not promising amid progress

UKIAH, California - Thousands of firefighters, backed by US troops and crews from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, have made progress in their battle with California's biggest wildfire on record - but the weather forecast for the rest of the week is not promising, officials said.

Nearly 20 major fires have ravaged the sprawling western state over the past two weeks, fanned by strong winds and sweltering temperatures.

The wildfires have left at least nine people dead, including four firefighters, and forced tens of thousands of residents to abandon their homes.