Communities in California are reeling in the aftermath of wildfires, which have destroyed more than 10,000 structures and claimed a record number of lives.
While the state has seen many wildfires throughout its history, fire season has come to take on entirely new meaning for Californians in the past decade. Across the state, wildfires have become more destructive and more frequent — and this devastating trend is fueled by climate change. Nine of the state's 20 most destructive fires have occurred since 2015 following years of drought.
Take Action: Ensure All Communities Can Withstand Climate Disaster
As people across California evacuated their homes, communities on the other side of the world continued to face displacement this week. From Yemen to Myanmar to the US-Mexico border, young refugees and asylum seekers are up against tough odds as their families fight for basic human rights.
A caravan of migrants that fled Honduras last month has finally reached the US-Mexico border where many will seek asylum.
Meanwhile, girls in Pakistan are standing up for gender equality and fighting to secure their right to education.
Although this week was dominated by challenges, some found moments for celebration and prayer. In India and Nepal, Hindu gathered to honor the sun god as part of the Chhath Puja festival.
Here are some of the most striking photos from around the world this week.
An air tanker drops water on a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, Calif., Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.
An air tanker drops water on a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, Calif., Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.
1. California Wildfires: An air tanker drops water on a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, California, Nov. 12. At least 66 people have been killed in wildfires that ravaged California in the past week, and over 600 people are still missing. Though California is no stranger to wildfires, what was once a seasonal concern is now a year-round worry as climate change has helped create the perfect storm for wildfires to happen more often and spread faster.
Two Central American migrants walk along the top of the border structure separating Mexico and the United States, Nov. 14, 2018, in Tijuana, Mexico.
Two Central American migrants walk along the top of the border structure separating Mexico and the United States, Nov. 14, 2018, in Tijuana, Mexico.
2. Migrant Caravan in Central America: Two Central American migrants walk along the top of the border structure separating Mexico and the United States Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Tijuana, Mexico. Migrants in a caravan of Central Americans scrambled to reach the US border, catching rides on buses and trucks for hundreds of miles in the last leg of their journey Wednesday as the first sizable groups began arriving in the border city of Tijuana. Many of the migrants in the caravan are fleeing extreme poverty, violence, and persecution.
3. Hindu Festival: Indian Hindu devotees offer prayers during the 'Chhat Puja' on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati on Nov. 13. The Chhath Festival, also known as Surya Pooja, or worship of the sun, is observed in parts of India and Nepal and sees devotees pay homage to the sun and water gods.
Residences leveled by the Camp Fire line a cul-de-sac in Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday the wildfire that destroyed the town of Paradise is now 40 percent contained, up from 30 percent Wednesday morning.
4. Wildfires in Paradise, California: Residences leveled by the Camp Fire line a cul-de-sac in Paradise, California, on Nov. 15. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday the wildfire that destroyed the town of Paradise is now 40% contained, up from 30% Wednesday morning. At least 66 people have been killed in wildfires that ravaged California in the past week, and over 600 people are still missing. Sixty-three of the 66 people killed were in the Camp Fire.
5. Central America Immigration: A Central American migrant child moving with a caravan toward the United States in hopes of a better life, looks out the window of a bus upon its arrival at a temporary shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, on Nov. 15. The Central American migrant caravan trekking toward the United States converged on the US-Mexican border Thursday after more than a month on the road, undeterred by President Donald Trump's deployment of thousands of American troops near the border.
Firefighters battle a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, Calif., Nov. 12, 2018.
6. California Wildfires: Firefighters battle a fire along the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Simi Valley, California, Nov. 12.
7. Yemen: Displaced children from Hodeidah province play in a camp in the northern district of Abs in Yemen's northwestern Hajjah province on Nov. 10.
8. Rohingya Refugees: Young Rohingya refugees gather next to a bamboo railing while looking at a road below at Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, in Bangladesh, on Nov. 14. The military's presence at vast Rohingya camps in Bangladesh has been bolstered, stoking fears among refugees as authorities prepare to return them to Myanmar despite strong UN objections, leaders of the Muslim minority said Nov. 14. Bangladesh says it will start repatriating refugees from an initial group of 2,260 from Nov. 15 despite warnings the Rohingya face almost certain persecution in Myanmar.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are head to head after unveiling a plaque in the Clairiere of Rethondes during a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in Compiegne, North of Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.
9. WWI Commemoration Ceremony: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are head to head after unveiling a plaque in the Clairiere of Rethondes during a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in Compiegne, North of Paris, France, Nov. 10.
A girl attends a makeshift school at a city's park in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. Human Rights Watch released a 111-page report Tuesday, that said millions of girls in Pakistan are still out of school, mostly because the government spends less money on education. The international rights group said they are deprived of an education for multiple reasons, including a shortage of government schools.
10. Education in Pakistan: A girl attends a makeshift school at a city's park in Islamabad, Pakistan, Nov. 13. Human Rights Watch released a 111-page report Tuesday that said millions of girls in Pakistan are still out of school, mostly because the government spends less money on education. The international rights group said they are deprived of an education for multiple reasons, including a shortage of government schools.
A person walks across Independence Mall during a snow storm in Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 2018.
11. Early Winter Storm: A person walks across Independence Mall during a snow storm in Philadelphia, Nov. 15.
12. California Wildfires: Abandoned vehicles sit at a car lot in Paradise, north of Sacramento, California, on Nov. 9. A rapidly spreading, late-season wildfire in northern California has burned 20,000 acres of land and prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for thousands of people. As many as 1,000 homes, a hospital, a Safeway store, and scores of other structures have burned in the area as the Camp Fire tore through the region.