Firefighters are a very important part of society, and the current California news drives that point. Earning a degree in fire protection would prepare you for jobs in public safety as well as for government agencies. Public safety professionals can prepare themselves to earn higher salaries by pursuing a fire protection degree.

A fire burning in Los Angeles County grew more than six-fold overnight, threatening more than 10,000 homes and the Mount Wilson observatory as firefighters battle wind gusts and continued high temperatures, officials said.

The Station fire, which has now consumed 35,200 acres (14,245 hectares) since it began four days ago in the Angeles National Forest, spread rapidly with flames as long as 80 feet (24 meters), the U.S. Forest Service said on its Web site. The fire had charred 5,500 acres as of yesterday morning.

The fire is now threatening the city of Acton, California, and local homes are being evacuated, said Jennifer Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the Angeles National Forest. Three injuries have been reported for the blaze, she said.

The fire is still only 5 percent contained, and may be finally under control on Sept. 8, the forest service said on its Web site. The blaze is also threatening 500 commercial properties and 2,000 other structures, the agency said.

Fire protection degree programs expose recruits to simulated disaster scenarios, such as burning high-rise buildings, hazardous material spills, and forest fires. Fire protection specialists often earn median annual salaries of about $50,000. Higher ups like chiefs and lieutenants can earn more than $80,000 annually.