Homes burned by California fire; teams look for more damage
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — In the aftermath of a wildfire, somebody has to figure out exactly what burned. It’s painstaking and important work that helps evacuated residents know if they lost everything or have something waiting for them when they return home.
Officials estimate that at least 105 residences and 213 outbuildings have been destroyed in the massive fire that burned ferociously through Southern California mountain communities this week and was still smouldering Saturday.
Those numbers could rise as damage assessment teams pore through the aftermath of the blaze about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Fire Marshal Mike Horton of the San Bernardino County Fire Department said. Drought conditions in California have left plenty of fuel for wildfires.
The fire sparked Tuesday was 73 per cent contained and firefighters who were on the offensive for days were finally transitioning to mop-up phase, officials said.