A U.S. Marine traverses an opium poppy field in southern Afhanistan, where the mission includes working with farmers. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
Twenty-five people died and 135 were injured when Metrolink and Union Pacific trains crashed head-on in Chatsworth. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Hundreds of homes were lost in fires across Southern California, including a devastating blaze in a Sylmar mobile home park. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
