Today top news from BBC News: " US wild fires force mass exodus"

US wild fires force mass exodus California evacuates 500,000 people as wild fires engulf the south of the state from Mexico up to Santa Barbara. In pictures: California wildfires Readers' experiences Why forest fires are spreading US reins in Iraq security firms Washington clamps down on foreign private security firms in Iraq after deadly incidents involving civilians. Suu Kyi rallies planned worldwide Rallies in 12 cities around the world to mark Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's 12th year in jail.

FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS

Lost voices Burmese describe how life has changed since protests were silenced

Talk of the town Fears of a Turkish invasion on the Kurdish streets of Irbil

OTHER TOP STORIES

Nato ministers face tough talks

Iraq to ban Kurd rebel operations

Students clash with Chavez police

Feud 'hurting Palestinian rights'

Mediterranean summit proposed

Amazon buoyed by Potter magic

ALSO IN THE NEWS

Germans uproot ancient church and roll it to new home

Pasta price-fixing investigation gets under way in Italy

SPORT HEADLINES

Football: Arsenal crush Slavia

Football: Ireland 'sack' Staunton

Read more from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/