California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency after at least 18 wildfires ravaged the drought-stricken state, killing one firefighter and driving hundreds from their homes. David Ruhl of Rapid City, North Dakota was killed Thursday while battling the Frog Fire near the city of Adin. Rescue workers recovered his body Friday. California’s nearly four-year-long drought has “turned much of the state into a tinderbox,” Brown said in his declaration.
