California man defends his home as wildfires push devastation and spread smoke across US West

As the largest wildfire in California this year approached the small town of Cohasset, Ron Ward was prepared with a sprinkler system he had just finished installing around his ranch after losing his homeowners insurance. He says the flames reached withing feet of his house and then stopped. The Park Fire was one of more than 100 large active wildfires burning in the U.S. on Monday. Officials say it has blazed through more than 575 square miles. The man arrested on suspicion of starting the fire by pushing a burning car into a gully has been charged with arson. It was unclear whether he had legal representation to speak on his behalf.