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College football bowl season has arrived

Christmas has come a couple weeks early for college football fans as bowl season kicks off with a slate of five games on Saturday. The action begins with the R+L Carriers New Orleans bowl, featuring Troy and North Texas (1 p.m. ET, ESPN), then continues with Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State in the AutoNation Cure Bowl (2:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN). The game of the day comes next in the Las Vegas Bowl as Boise State takes on Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The day wraps up with Marshall vs. Colorado State in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Middle Tennessee vs. Arkansas State in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Check out our expert picks for all 39 bowl games and our rankings of the top games of the season.

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SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg tells you which players to have on your radar this bowl season. USA TODAY Sports

California wildfire approaches grim milestone ahead of powerful winds

The fourth-largest wildfire in California history could grow in size this weekend due to the menacing Santa Ana winds. The Thomas Fire, which has scorched at least 256,000 acres and destroyed over 1,000 structures, is only 35% contained despite efforts by some 8,000 firefighters. The National Weather Service forecast extreme fire danger or “red flag” conditions with winds gusting to 40 mph in the Santa Barbara County mountains where the fire is burning. On Thursday, officials said that a Cal Fire engineer died battling the blaze, the second confirmed fatality linked to the massive fire.

Startling images as wildfires ravage Southern California
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Firefighters watch flames as the Thomas Fire approaches
Firefighters watch flames as the Thomas Fire approaches homes on Dec.12, 2017 in Montecito, Calif. The Thomas Fire has spread across 365 miles so far and destroyed about 800 structures since it began on Dec. 5 in Ojai.  David McNew, Getty Images
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Firefighters battle flames on State Route 150 between
Firefighters battle flames on State Route 150 between Carpinteria and Ojai Calif.  Tom Tingle, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Bill Hahn, owner of the Rose Story Farm, at his 15-acre
Bill Hahn, owner of the Rose Story Farm, at his 15-acre property, hoping that firefighters can save his property in Carpinteria, Calif.  Tom Tingle, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
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An inmate wild land fire crew clears brush at the Rose
An inmate wild land fire crew clears brush at the Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria, Calif.  Tom Tingle, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Charred ground in the Shepard Mesa neighborhood smolders
Charred ground in the Shepard Mesa neighborhood smolders from a wildfire in in Carpinteria, Calif.  Kenneth Song, Santa Barbara News-Press via AP
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A fire-fighting helicopter makes a water drop on a
A fire-fighting helicopter makes a water drop on a hotspot near a house in the Shepard Mesa neighborhood in Carpinteria, Calif.  Kenneth Song, Santa Barbara News-Press via AP
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Firefighting helicopters try to save a house from the
Firefighting helicopters try to save a house from the Thomas wildfire in Carpinteria, Calif. on Dec. 10, 2017. The Thomas fire is only 15 percent contained, now threatening the city of Santa Barbara and the nearby coastal town of Carpinteria, making it one of the worst wildfires in California history.  Mark Ralston
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A house burns near Casitas Pass Road as the Thomas
A house burns near Casitas Pass Road as the Thomas Fire continues to grow on Dec. 10, 2017 near Carpinteria, Calif.   David McNew, Getty Images
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Firefighters move away from a burning house after discovering
Firefighters move away from a burning house after discovering downed live power lines, as the Thomas wildfire continues to burn in Carpinteria, Calif. on Dec. 10, 2017.   Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
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Firefighters investigate burnt out cars, as the Thomas
Firefighters investigate burnt out cars, as the Thomas wildfire continues to burn in Carpinteria, Calif. on Dec. 10, 2017.   Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
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A firefighter hoses the burning ruins of a house near
A firefighter hoses the burning ruins of a house near Casitas Pass Road as the Thomas Fire continues to grow on Dec. 10, 2017 near Carpinteria, Calif.  David McNew, Getty Images
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Horses that were evacuated from the Thomas Fire are
Horses that were evacuated from the Thomas Fire are seen on Dec. 10, 2017 in Ojai, Calif.   David McNew, Getty Images
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The ruins of a house that was destroyed by the Thomas
The ruins of a house that was destroyed by the Thomas Fire are seen on Dec. 10, 2017 near Carpinteria, Calif.  David McNew, Getty Images
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Christmas decorations illuminate a house as the growing
Christmas decorations illuminate a house as the growing Thomas Fire advances toward Santa Barbara County seaside communities on Dec. 10, 2017 in Carpinteria, Calif.  David McNew, Getty Images
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People watch as the Thomas Fire advances toward Santa
People watch as the Thomas Fire advances toward Santa Barbara County seaside communities on Dec. 10, 2017 in Carpinteria, Calif.   David McNew, Getty Images
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Local residents keep watch while fire and smoke from
Local residents keep watch while fire and smoke from the Thomas wildfire heads towards their housing estate in Ojai, Calif. on Dec. 9, 2017. Brutal winds that fueled southern California's firestorm finally began to ease Saturday, giving residents and firefighters hope for respite as the destructive toll of multiple blazes came into focus.   Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
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A helicopter drops water while trying to keep a wildfire
A helicopter drops water while trying to keep a wildfire from jumping Santa Ana Road near Ventura, Calif. on Dec. 9, 2017.   Noah Berger, AP
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Firefighters light backfire while trying to keep a
Firefighters light backfire while trying to keep a wildfire from jumping Santa Ana Rd. near Ventura, Calif. on Dec. 9, 2017.   Noah Berger, AP
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CalFire works in Ventura County as efforts continue
CalFire works in Ventura County as efforts continue against the Thomas Fire in Ojai, Calif. on Dec. 9, 2017. Several fires burning in various locations of Southern California with the Thomas Fire the largest at 148,000 acres burned, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate as one of the strongest Santa Ana winds forecast of the season have continued for much of the past week.  John Cetrino, EPA-EFE
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Fire burns utility poles in Ventura County as efforts
Fire burns utility poles in Ventura County as efforts continue against the Thomas Fire in Ojai, Calif. on Dec. 9, 2017.   John Cetrino, EPA-EFE
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Flames rise as a fire front approaches the Lake Casitas
Flames rise as a fire front approaches the Lake Casitas area on Dec. 8, 2017 near Ojai, Calif. Strong Santa Ana winds have been feeding major wildfires all week, destroying hundreds of houses and forcing tens of thousands of people to stay away from their homes.   David McNew, Getty Images
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National Guard helicopters make water drop as the Thomas
National Guard helicopters make water drop as the Thomas Fire approaches the Lake Casitas area on Dec. 9, 2017 near Ojai, Calif.   David McNew, Getty Images
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Firefighters watch after setting a backfire at night
Firefighters watch after setting a backfire at night to make progress against the Thomas Fire before the winds return with the daylight near Lake Casitas on Dec. 9, 2017 near Ojai, Calif.   David McNew, Getty Images
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Firefighters set a backfire to make progress against
Firefighters set a backfire to make progress against the Thomas Fire before the winds return with the daylight near Lake Casitas on Dec. 9, 2017 near Ojai, Calif.   David McNew, Getty Images
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Firefighters put out burning embers from recent Ventura
Firefighters put out burning embers from recent Ventura County fires in the Los Padres National Forest north of Ojai, California on Dec. 8, 2017. Unrelenting winds fanned towering flames in southern California, where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee multiple devastating fires in the Los Angeles area and new outbreaks near San Diego.   Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
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A thank you banner for firefigters is placed on a grass
A thank you banner for firefigters is placed on a grass patch in Ojai, California on Dec. 8, 2017.   Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
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Firefighters monitor the Thomas fire as it burns through
Firefighters monitor the Thomas fire as it burns through Los Padres National Forest near Ojai, Calif. on Dec. 8, 2017.   Noah Berger, AP
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A hillside glows with embers as the Thomas fire burns
A hillside glows with embers as the Thomas fire burns through Los Padres National Forest near Ojai, Calif. on Dec. 8, 2017.   Noah Berger, AP
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Judy Bell surveys the damage to her home on Dec. 8,
Judy Bell surveys the damage to her home on Dec. 8, 2017, in the community of Camino Cielo near Ojai, Calif., as the Thomas Fire burned for a fifth day.  Juan Carlo, The Ventura County Star via AP
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A charred snowman holiday display looks out over mobile
A charred snowman holiday display looks out over mobile homes consumed by the Lilac wildfire in Fallbrook, California, USA, 08 Dec. 8, 2017.  Eugene Garcia, EPA-EFE
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A holiday display hangs on the side of a mobile home
A holiday display hangs on the side of a mobile home consumed by the Lilac wildfire in Fallbrook, Calif. on Dec. 8, 2017.   Eugene Garcia, EPA-EFE
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Firefighters rest after protecting mobile homes after
Firefighters rest after protecting mobile homes after other structures were consumed by the Lilac wildfire in Fallbrook, Calif. Dec. 8, 2017.  Eugene Garcia, EPA-EFE
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Marissa Sherman, left, reacts as she sees the destroyed
Marissa Sherman, left, reacts as she sees the destroyed home of her grandfather, Dick Marsala, right, after a wildfire roared through the Rancho Monserate Country Club, on Dec. 8, 2017, in Bonsall, Calif.  Gregory Bull, AP
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Dick Marsala looks through debris from his destroyed
Dick Marsala looks through debris from his destroyed home after a wildfire roared through the Rancho Monserate Country Club, Friday, in Bonsall, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California.  Gregory Bull, AP
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Firefighters battle the Lilac fire in Bonsall, Calif.,
Firefighters battle the Lilac fire in Bonsall, Calif., Friday. The blaze burned numerous structures and thousands of acres according to fire officials.  Noah Berger, AP
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Fire crews search for hot spots among destroyed homes
Fire crews search for hot spots among destroyed homes in the Rancho Monserate Country Club community Friday.  Gregory Bull, AP
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Gary and Eileen Young of Pilgrim Creek rest at the
Gary and Eileen Young of Pilgrim Creek rest at the Oceanside High School shelter as wildfires rip through Southern California.  Sean Logan, The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
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A street destroyed by the Lilac Fire in Rancho Monserate
A street destroyed by the Lilac Fire in Rancho Monserate Country Club is pictured on Friday, in Fallbrook, Calif. The fire is just one of several wildfires raging throughout southern California.  Sean Logan, The Republic
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Firefighters monitor a fire beside Highway 33 north
Firefighters monitor a fire beside Highway 33 north of Ojai, Calif., Friday.  Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
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Firefighters put out burning embers from the Thomas
Firefighters put out burning embers from the Thomas Fire at the Los Padres National Forest north of Ojai, Calif.  Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
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A photo album damaged by fire is see amid the destruction
A photo album damaged by fire is see amid the destruction of the Lilac Fire, Friday, at a retirement community in Fallbrook, in San Diego County Calif. Hot and dry Santa Ana winds have ignited wildfires across Southern California.  Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
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A wreath hangs on the gate of a burned property at
A wreath hangs on the gate of a burned property at the Lilac Fire in the early morning hours, Friday, near Bonsall, Calif.  David McNew, Getty Images
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John Knapp examines the damage from the Lilac Fire
John Knapp examines the damage from the Lilac Fire in his neighborhood at Rancho Monserate Country Club.  Sean Logan, The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Firefighter Jason Scott of the Heartland Fire Dept.,
Firefighter Jason Scott of the Heartland Fire Dept., recovers a safe from a destroyed home in the Rancho Monserate Country Club Friday.  Gregory Bull, AP
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Local resident Pal Paricsy looks over the remains of
Local resident Pal Paricsy looks over the remains of his neighbors' homes destroyed by the Lilac Fire, Friday, in Bonsall, Calif.  Robiyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
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A structure burns at the Lilac Fire early Friday morning
A structure burns at the Lilac Fire early Friday morning near Bonsall, Calif.  David McNew, Getty Images
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Richard Timboe, right, and his son Steve move items
Richard Timboe, right, and his son Steve move items out of Richards' home in Rancho Monserate Country Club. Much of the neighborhood was affected by the Lilac Fire, but Timboe's house survived.  Sean Logan, The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
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A home destroyed by the Lilac Fire is seen in Rancho
A home destroyed by the Lilac Fire is seen in Rancho Monserate Country Club on Friday, in Fallbrook, Calif.  Sean Logan, The Republic
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Dick Marsala looks through debris from his destroyed
Dick Marsala looks through debris from his destroyed home after a wildfire roared through the Rancho Monserate Country Club.  Gregory Bull, AP
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A firefighter douses a smoldering pile of wood chips
A firefighter douses a smoldering pile of wood chips and mulch, sparked by a wildfire Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, in Fallbrook, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations.  Gregory Bull, AP
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A street destroyed by the Lilac Fire in Rancho Monserate
A street destroyed by the Lilac Fire in Rancho Monserate Country Club.  Sean Logan, The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Horses that survived the Lilac Fire in their stalls
Horses that survived the Lilac Fire in their stalls are loaded onto a trailer in the early Friday morning, near Bonsall, Calif.  David McNew, Getty Images
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Firefighters break up hotspots in an attempt to halt
Firefighters break up hotspots in an attempt to halt the spread of the Lilac Fire, on Friday.  Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
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Firefighter Simon Garcia, of Heartland Fire Dept.,
Firefighter Simon Garcia, of Heartland Fire Dept., gets a hug from a woman after she arrived to find her house was intact in the Rancho Monserate Country Club, Friday.  Gregory Bull, AP
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Exhausted firefighters have their first rest in over
Exhausted firefighters have their first rest in over 20 hours since starting to fight the Lilac Fire, in Bonsall, Calif.  Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
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A plane drops fire retardant on a wildfire Friday,
A plane drops fire retardant on a wildfire Friday, in Fallbrook, Calif.  Gregory Bull, AP
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John Knapp's back windshield is covered in red splatters
John Knapp's back windshield is covered in red splatters from fire retardant dumped over Rancho Monserate Country Club, which was affected by the Lilac Fire, on Friday.  Sean Logan, The Republic
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Firefighters monitor a section of the Thomas Fire along
Firefighters monitor a section of the Thomas Fire along the 101 freeway, Thursday, north of Ventura, Calif. Ffirefighters occasionally used a flare device to burn-off brush close to the roadside.  Mario Tama, Getty Images
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A fire ravaged vechile remains parked in front of fire-affected
A fire ravaged vechile remains parked in front of fire-affected homes north of Ojai, Calif.  Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
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A man bicycles past bluffs burned in the Thomas Fire
A man bicycles past bluffs burned in the Thomas Fire on Thursday, in La Conchita, Calif. The fire has destroyed 439 structures and burned 115,000 acres.  Mario Tama, Getty Images
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Firefighters walk to the fire line at the Lilac fire
Firefighters walk to the fire line at the Lilac fire in Bonsall, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017.  SANDY HUFFAKER, AFP/Getty Images
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Volunteers rescue horses at a stable during the Lilac
Volunteers rescue horses at a stable during the Lilac fire in Bonsall, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017.   SANDY HUFFAKER, AFP/Getty Images
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Firefighters walk to the fire line at the Lilac fire
Firefighters walk to the fire line at the Lilac fire in Bonsall, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017.   SANDY HUFFAKER, AFP/Getty Images
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The Thomas Fire burns a hillside behind Lake Casitas
The Thomas Fire burns a hillside behind Lake Casitas in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2017.  KYLE GRILLOT, AFP/Getty Images
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Christy Woodhams and her son Josh Lowe inspect the
Christy Woodhams and her son Josh Lowe inspect the remains of the cabin they were staying in that belonged to her cousin at Camp Bartlett, in Santa Paula, Calif.  Richard Lui, The Desert Sun via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Firefighters monitor a section of the Thomas Fire along
Firefighters monitor a section of the Thomas Fire along the 101 freeway on Dec. 7, 2017, north of Ventura, Calif. The firefighters occasionally used a flare device to burn-off brush close to the roadside.  Mario Tama, Getty Images
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Firefighter Mike Warren, part of a Portland, Ore.,
Firefighter Mike Warren, part of a Portland, Ore., crew battling the Thomas fire, stages in Ojai, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017. The biggest and most destructive of the windblown fires raking Southern California shut down one of the region's busiest freeways Thursday and threatened Ojai, a scenic mountain town dubbed "Shangri-La" and known for its boutique hotels and New Age spiritual retreats.  Noah Berger, AP
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The 101 Highway was closed after the Thomas Fire jumped
The 101 Highway was closed after the Thomas Fire jumped the road toward the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017.  Kyle Grillot, AFP/Getty Images
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A helicopter drops water while battling the Thomas
A helicopter drops water while battling the Thomas fire in Ojai, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017.  Noah Berger, AP
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A group of horse rescuers stages in a parking lot as
A group of horse rescuers stages in a parking lot as smoke from the Thomas fire billows over Ojai, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017. The volunteers, who met through a Facebook group, estimated that they have evacuated more than 100 horses from the fire.  Noah Berger, AP
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A firefighter battles a wildfire at Faria State Beach
A firefighter battles a wildfire at Faria State Beach in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes.   Jae C. Hong, AP
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Palm trees sway in a gust of wind as a firefighter
Palm trees sway in a gust of wind as a firefighter carries a water hose while battling a wildfire at Faria State Beach in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2017.  Jae C. Hong, AP
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Two firefighters watch as a home burns in a wildfire
Two firefighters watch as a home burns in a wildfire in La Conchita, Calif., Dec. 7, 2017. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes.  Jae C. Hong, AP
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Firefighters work to extinguish the Thomas Fire as
Firefighters work to extinguish the Thomas Fire as it burns past the 101 Highway towards the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura, California, December 7, 2017.  Kyle Grillot, AFP/Getty Images
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The 101 Highway was closed after the Thomas Fire jumped
The 101 Highway was closed after the Thomas Fire jumped the road towards the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura, California, December 7, 2017.  Kyle Grillot, AFP/Getty Images
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A motorists on Highway 101 watches flames from the
A motorists on Highway 101 watches flames from the Thomas fire leap above the roadway north of Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2017.  Noah Berger, AP
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A section of the Thomas Fire burns on a bluff on Dec.
A section of the Thomas Fire burns on a bluff on Dec. 7, 2017 in La Conchita, Calif.  Mario Tama, Getty Images
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Orange County firefighter Robert Bucho tapes off Highway
Orange County firefighter Robert Bucho tapes off Highway 150 near Santa Paula for caution as power lines brought down by the Thomas Fire block the road. The road is closed until further notice.  Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Firefighter Dan Whelan is silhouetted against the sun
Firefighter Dan Whelan is silhouetted against the sun as he battles a wildfire burning near Faria State Beach in Ventura, Calif., Dec. 7, 2017.  Jae C. Hong, AP
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A woman involved in a traffic accident waits to get
A woman involved in a traffic accident waits to get towed beside a wall of flames on the 101 highway during the Thomas wildfire near Ventura, Calif. on Dec. 6, 2017.  Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
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A volunteer passes supplies donated to Thomas fire
A volunteer passes supplies donated to Thomas fire evacuees in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2017. As many as five fires have closed highways, schools and museums, shut down production of TV series and cast a hazardous haze over the region. About 200,000 people were under evacuation orders. No deaths and only a few injuries were reported.   Noah Berger, AP
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A family wears face masks as they walk through the
A family wears face masks as they walk through the smoke filled streets after the Thomas wildfire swept through Ventura, Calif. on Dec. 6, 2017. California motorists commuted past a blazing inferno Wednesday as wind-whipped wildfires raged across the Los Angeles region, with flames triggering the closure of a major freeway and mandatory evacuations in an area dotted with mansions.   Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
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The Thomas Fire burns near Highway 101 in Ventura,
The Thomas Fire burns near Highway 101 in Ventura, Calif.  Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY Network
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An evacuees from the Thomas Fire rests in the Ventura
An evacuees from the Thomas Fire rests in the Ventura County Fairgrounds evacuation center in Ventura, Calif.  Mike Nelson, EPA-EFE
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The Thomas Fire burns near Highway 101 in Ventura,
The Thomas Fire burns near Highway 101 in Ventura, Calif.  Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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A new wildfire broke out overnight in some of Los Angeles'
A new wildfire broke out overnight in some of Los Angeles' most exclusive neighborhoods. As the fire climbs up the canyon wall, firefighters race to save the homes along the 1700 block of Linda Flora in the upscale Bel Air Estates area of Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2017.   Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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LAFD Captain Scott Quinn coordinates the attack on
LAFD Captain Scott Quinn coordinates the attack on two fires of homes in the upscale Bel Air Estates area of Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2017.  Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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Dense vegetation along the canyon walls fueled the
Dense vegetation along the canyon walls fueled the fires even with constant water drops from helicopters in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2017.  Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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Firefighters try to save a house in the 1700 block
Firefighters try to save a house in the 1700 block of Linda Flora in the upscale Bel Air Estates area of Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2017.  Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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Firefighters work in the Bel Air Estates area of Los
Firefighters work in the Bel Air Estates area of Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2017.   Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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A vintage Mercedes sits in ruins along with a burned
A vintage Mercedes sits in ruins along with a burned home in the Bel Air Estates area of Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2017.  Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
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Firefighters battle flames on Foothill Boulevard in
Firefighters battle flames on Foothill Boulevard in the Lake View Terrace area during the Creek Fire in Lake View Terrace, Calif. on Dec. 5, 2017.  Joe Lumaya, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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A horse rider heads back to his home as other owners
A horse rider heads back to his home as other owners start to evacuate their horses during the Creek Fire in Lake View Terrace, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017.  Joe Lumaya, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Residents watch fire retardant dropped on an area of
Residents watch fire retardant dropped on an area of the Rye Canyon Fire, one of several fires burning in Southern California.  Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
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As the sun sets, a resident watches the Rye Canyon
As the sun sets, a resident watches the Rye Canyon Fire in Stevenson Ranch, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017. The Rye Canyon Fire had burned over 5,000 acres by 4 p.m. The fire forced the evacuation of several schools in the area and the closure of several roads.  Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
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Los Angeles County firefighters battle flames in Lake
Los Angeles County firefighters battle flames in Lake View Terrace, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017.  Joe Lumaya, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Residents gather on Poe Parkway in Stevenson Ranch,
Residents gather on Poe Parkway in Stevenson Ranch, Calif., to watch the Rye Canyon Fire, one of several burning in Southern California.  Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
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Michael and Vonea McQuillam stand beside their house
Michael and Vonea McQuillam stand beside their house that was burned to the ground during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in Southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee.  Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
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A fireman walks past a totally engulfed burning home
A fireman walks past a totally engulfed burning home at the corner of North Fir and Buena Vista Street at 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2017.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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A man rides his bike past a home consumed by a wildfire
A man rides his bike past a home consumed by a wildfire on Dec. 5, 2017, in Ventura, Calif.  Jae C. Hong, AP
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James and Josie Ralstin carry belongings from their
James and Josie Ralstin carry belongings from their Ventura, Calif., home as flames from a wildfire consume another residence on Dec. 5, 2017. The couple evacuated early Tuesday morning as the fire approached, but returned to retrieve medications and other property.  Noah Berger, AP
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The Thomas Fire burns in the hills above Santa Paula
The Thomas Fire burns in the hills above Santa Paula on Dec. 4, 2017, in Ventura, Calif.  Anthony Plascencia, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Horses are evacuated from a ranch along Kagel Canyon
Horses are evacuated from a ranch along Kagel Canyon at the Creek fire on Dec. 5, 2017, in La Canada Flintridge, Calif. Raked by ferocious Santa Ana winds, explosive wildfires northwest of Los Angeles and in the city's foothills burned a psychiatric hospital and scores of other structures Tuesday and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.  David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News, via AP
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Engineer Brock Harmon from the L.A. Fire Department
Engineer Brock Harmon from the L.A. Fire Department sprays water on a burning home at the corner of North Fir and Buena Vista Streets in Ventura on Dec. 5, 2017.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Firefighters put out flames near a home along Kagel
Firefighters put out flames near a home along Kagel Canyon Road at the Creek fire on Dec. 5, 2017, in Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles .  David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News, via AP
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Horses are evacuated during the Creek fire on Dec.
Horses are evacuated during the Creek fire on Dec. 5, 2017, in La Canada Flintridge, Calif.  David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News, via AP
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A home totally engulfed in flames from the Thomas fire
A home totally engulfed in flames from the Thomas fire at the corner of North Fir and Buena Vista Street in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Homeowner Alan Barnard walks past the remains of his
Homeowner Alan Barnard walks past the remains of his RV from a wildfire in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2017.  Chris Carlson, AP
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As the Hawaiian Village apartments burn a man dodges
As the Hawaiian Village apartments burn a man dodges embers and has a hose ready to spray his rooftop on Polin Street in Ventura, Calif.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Smoke from the Creek wildfire in the San Gabriel Mountains,
Smoke from the Creek wildfire in the San Gabriel Mountains, the second range behind the Hollywood Hills, home of the Hollywood sign, looms up over Los Angeles Tuesday morning on Dec. 5, 2017.  Reed Saxon, AP
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Flames rise near a home as a wildfire burns in Ventura,
Flames rise near a home as a wildfire burns in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017. Ferocious winds in Southern California have whipped up explosive wildfires, burning a psychiatric hospital and scores of other structures.  Jae C. Hong, AP
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The Hawaiian Village apartments burn out of control
The Hawaiian Village apartments burn out of control from the Thomas fire in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Greg Smith stands amid the ruins of his home after
Greg Smith stands amid the ruins of his home after the Thomas fire swept through Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017.  Daniel Dreifuss, AP
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Smoke rises behind a leveled apartment complex as a
Smoke rises behind a leveled apartment complex as a wildfire burns in Ventura, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2017. Over 100 structures have burned so far in Ventura County, officials said.  Noah Berger, AP
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A firefighter checks damage to a home at Lake View
A firefighter checks damage to a home at Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2017.   David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News, via AP
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The Thomas Fire burns in the hills above Santa Paula
The Thomas Fire burns in the hills above Santa Paula on Dec. 4, 2017  Anthony Plascencia, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Thomas Fire burns in the hills near Steckel Park
The Thomas Fire burns in the hills near Steckel Park in Santa Paula on Dec. 4, 2017.  Anthony Plascencia, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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A fire near Santa Paula burns in the background on
A fire near Santa Paula burns in the background on Dec. 4, 2017, as public safety personnel gather at the command post.  Megan Diskin, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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A home in Ventura goes up in flames as the Thomas Fire
A home in Ventura goes up in flames as the Thomas Fire descends down from the hills.   Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Flames totally engulf two homes at the corner of North
Flames totally engulf two homes at the corner of North Fir and Buena Vista streets at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2017.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Hawaiian Village Apartments burn as a neighborhood
The Hawaiian Village Apartments burn as a neighborhood resident climbs to his rooftop with a hose in Ventura, Calif.  Chuck Kirmanv, Ventura County Star, via USA TODAY NETWORK
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    San Francisco grieves for Mayor Edwin Lee

    San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, a champion of housing, civil rights and immigration issues, will be remembered at a public memorial Sunday. He died early Tuesday after collapsing at a Safeway, leaving the city reeling from shock and dealing with the logistics of selecting a new leader. The medical examiner has not released a cause of death. Lee was San Francisco's mayor for seven years.

    'You'll shoot your eye out, kid': Classic film becomes live musical

    Get your leg lamps ready because the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story is getting the live musical treatment this weekend. Maya Rudolph, Matthew Broderick, Ana Gastayer and Jane Krakowski star on Sunday night in the TV special, based on the recent Broadway adaptation of the 1983 film. The broadcast (Fox, 7 p.m. ET/PT) will also feature new songs from La La Land composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

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    Maya Rudolph and Jane Krakowski are part of the all-star cast in an upcoming live-TV special based on the beloved 1983 comedy film "A Christmas Story," as well as the 2012 Broadway-musical adaptation from writers of "La La Land" and "Dear Evan Hanson." (Nov. 24) AP

    Will space station astronauts be watching for Santa?

    After a successful blastoff Friday from Cape Canaveral, the SpaceX Dragon capsule packed with 4,800 pounds of food, spare parts and science experiments is expected to arrive at the International Space Station by 6 a.m. Sunday. “I cannot confirm nor deny the presence of Christmas presents on board the Dragon,” said Kirk Shireman, NASA's ISS program manager. Also aboard: 40 “mouse-tronauts” flying as part of a drug company experiment. 

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    SpaceX has racked up another first, launching a recycled rocket with a recycled capsule on a NASA grocery run. (Dec. 15) AP

    Contributing: Associated Press

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