1,000 homes destroyed by 2 California fires

The tally of homes destroyed by two massive Northern California wildfires topped 1,000 Saturday after authorities doing damage assessments in the Sierra Nevada foothills counted another 250 houses destroyed by flames that still threaten thousands of more structures.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said the count of 503 homes destroyed by the blaze burning for more than a week in Amador and Calaveras counties comes as firefighters make progress and damage inspection teams have access to affected areas.
Cal Fire had reported 252 homes destroyed as of Friday night by the week-old fire that has charred 110 square miles (285 square kilometers).
"Some of the homes are tucked back in rural areas so it's taken time to reach them," Berlant said.
The fire, which killed at least two people, was 65 per cent contained but still threatening another 6,400 structures.
A separate blaze in Lake County, about 170 miles (274 kilometers) northwest, destroyed at least 585 homes and burned hundreds of other structures. It has killed three people.
Residents of Middletown, the area hardest hit by the massive wildfire in California, were allowed to return home Saturday afternoon. Evacuation orders for other areas in Lake County remained in effect.
The Lake County fire tore through 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) in 12 hours, causing thousands of residents to flee after it ignited a week ago.
About 19,000 people were ordered to evacuate. The blaze had charred 116 square miles (300 square kilometers) and was 48 per cent contained Saturday, according to AP.

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