California on fire

Wildfires have caused significant damage in southern California, and Los Angeles in particular. As a result, 27 lives were lost and over 200,000 people have left their homes to find safety.

The first fire, which has burned through the Pacific Palisades district, began on the morning of 7th January. By that evening, another wildfire had been reported near the national forest lands. A further 6 quickly followed.

Nicole Perri and her partner Kyle Kucharski were forced to leave their home. Now, they're looking through the remains. Nicole's shocked by the impact that the fires have had.

Nicole Perri: "I feel broken. I feel lost. I feel devastated. I don't want to have to tell my boys that this is their home, that is gone. It's so tragic, and I know I'm not the only one. So I feel for everyone who's in this position. I really do."

Although the reason for the fires isn't yet known, the weather's been a factor. California's seen little rain over the past 8 months. Strong winds, which fuel the fires and increase their spread, also haven't helped.

Kristin Crowley, who's head of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, called the wildfires "one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles."

It's thought that 17,000 buildings have been burned to the ground, and that the economic cost may exceed $135 billion. However, the true human and financial impacts are still being counted.

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