The San Diego Fire Department caused some damage to a couple's home in their effort to save it from burning down, but left a note explaining why they did what they did.

As nearly 6,000 firefighters battle six major blazes in Southern California, astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured the smoke plumes from the wildfires, showing the dramatic impact the fires have caused.

The fire broke out Thursday amid dry, hot, windy conditions across the region that would be extreme for any season, but are especially stunning just two weeks from winter.