The Deadly California Fires

The Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest near in California began on Aug. 17, 2013 and is under investigation. The fire has consumed approximately 149, 780 acres and is 15% contained. U.S. Forest Service photo.

The state’s deadliest fire has been blazing for almost 2 and a half weeks, destructing homes and everything in its path. Almost 14,000 houses and 4,265 other buildings have been destroyed and it was a difficult job to contain these fires. Fortunately, early this Sunday, Cal Fires, the state’s forestry and fire protection agency, announced that the fires are under control. However, it is not 100% safe to return to the sites of the fire because this announcement only indicates that the fire line has been cut around the entire blaze.

After a recent search, officials discovered a body in Paradise and another in Magalia, both of which sit 100 miles north of Sacramento, pushing the death toll up to 85.

Rain has helped firefighters search the steaming remains of houses and buildings. However, the surplus of rain has led to severe flooding, mudslides and can also wash away remains and seal them in hard mud making them harder to find.

Thankfully, the rain has subsided and it much safer to investigate the remnants of the destroyed homes. Cal Fire says that soon, the fire will be fully contained.

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