California fires leave at least 31 dead, 7,000 structures destroyed

Several fires burning in Southern and Northern California have killed at least 31 people and destroyed about 7,000 buildings.

These wind-driven fires have burned 196,000 acres, Chief Scott Jalbert of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday. The Camp Fire in Butte County has burned 109,000 acres since Thursday, destroyed 6,435 homes and 260 commercial buildings, and is now tied with the 1933 Griffith Park Fire as being the state's deadliest blaze, leaving at least 29 people dead. The Camp Fire is only 25 percent contained.

The Woolsey Fire in Southern California has scorched 83,275 acres over the last few days, burning down 177 structures in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and leaving at least two people dead. The fire is just 10 percent contained.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up