Researchers brave the thick smoke and ash from wild fires while they catch crabs off the coast of Stewarts Point in California on Friday (September 11).

The vessel had to sail through poor visibility caused by the California fires, while conducting research for the California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP).

Captain John Liu said further research trips had been cancelled due to the poor air quality caused by smoke from the deadly fires, which have consumed more than three million acres and killed at least ten people.

In neighbouring Oregon, the four people have been confirmed dead with several more missing from the fires as of Friday.
Officials have reported more than 900,000 acres burned across the state with more than 500,000 people are under evacuation orders.