Surveying fiery skies

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men look at a forest fire that broke out near kibbutz Beit Oren in northern Israel on Dec. 2. The blaze in the Carmel forest killed 42 people, many of them prison guards who were trapped in a bus trying to flee the flames.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40592653/ns/news/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

Fire-breathing

Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano spews molten rocks and large clouds of gas and ash near Banos, 111 miles south of Quito, on Nov. 29. Tungurahua, which means "Throat of Fire" in the local Quechua language, has been classified as active since 1999, and produced a strong eruption in 2008. It is one of Ecuador's eight active volcanoes.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40477139/ns/news/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

Mount Merapi Eruption Slide Show:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39890675/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

Rescued survivors

Volunteers rescue victims of the Mount Merapi eruption in the Indonesian vilage of Argomulyo on Nov. 5. Nearly 200 people have been killed since the volcano roared back to life on Oct. 26.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40135132/ns/news/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1