Homeland Security Secretary Visits Fire Damage in California

Insured damages alone topped $9 billion

 

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security says the federal government is helping to remove thousands of tons of debris as part of rebuilding efforts in wildfire-ravaged areas of Northern California.

Wildfires that swept through Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Yuba counties in October killed 44 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes. State officials say insured damages alone topped $9 billion.

Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen says the blazes also left behind more than 700,000 tons of debris. Nielsen spoke Wednesday in the hard-hit city of Santa Rosa, where she surveyed the destruction and met with survivors.

See also  Wildfire Casts Plume of Smoke Over Las Vegas

On Tuesday, she flew over areas of Southern California devastated by the largest wildfire in California’s modern history. The Thomas fire has destroyed more than 1,000 buildings in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

All contents © copyright 2018 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Topics

Subscribe to Our Monthly Newsletter

Stay in the loop with our wildland newsletter.

Insured damages alone topped $9 billion   SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security says the federal government is helping to remove thousands of tons of debris as part of rebuilding efforts in wildfire-ravaged areas of Northern California. Wildfires that swept through Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Yuba counties in […]

Get The Wildland Firefighter Newsletter

Related Articles

Wildfires in Portugal Kill Four Firefighters

Wildfires in Portugal Kill Four Firefighters

By HELENA ALVES and JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Five thousand firefighters struggled Tuesday to contain multiple wildfires raging across northern Portugal that are blamed for causing at least six deaths including four firefighters and...