With fires waning, California assesses damage

Four burned bodies found in the path of California's fierce wildfires raised the death toll to 12 people. Meanwhile, firefighters won the upper hand and officials turned on Friday toward assessing the damage. With fires waning, California assesses damage Though more than 20 fires raged across Southern California into a sixth day, some 8,000 firefighters had brought most of them under control and no more homes were in imminent danger. Some lost everything to the flames but most of the 500,000 people forced to flee in California's largest evacuation were expected to be back in their homes by the weekend. As officials began the massive clean-up and recovery operation, a risk firm said insured losses would likely be $900 million to $1.6 billion. Hot, dry winds had whipped up the string of fires but up to three are being treated as arson. More than 60 people have been injured, many of them firefighters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which along with President George W. Bush endured blistering criticism for the handling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, had some 1,000 people on the ground across Southern California. Local, state and federal agencies set up "one-stop" centers where Californians who lost their homes or property could apply for aid and get other services as they struggled to regain their footing. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who toured the devastated areas with Bush on Thursday, has won praise for his handling of the fires, which he called "one of the worst disasters in California history." "It seems fire related. The Harris fire at the border was out there," Johnson said. 2,000 homes gone About 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged since Sunday, when wildfires began breaking out across the southern half of the state. "These fires are among the worst disasters in California history, and the president and I just had a heartbreaking tour of the disaster," Schwarzenegger said. The wildfires broke out during the weekend after the winds began to blow in from the desert at more than 80 mph (130 kph). They have blackened more than 800 square miles in a parched region that suffered its driest summer on record. San Diego County has suffered some $1 billion in losses, and three of the largest fires were still burning there, mostly in the eastern, less populated part of the county. But most evacuees were allowed to return home and Qualcomm Stadium, which had provided shelter for some 10,000 people at the height of the disaster, was closed. Steve Conner, 62, whose home was one of 30 reduced to ruins on his block in suburban San Diego, described the moment he confronted the loss of his house and neighborhood as a "total breakdown." "Emotionally, it was just beyond belief," the Vietnam War infantry veteran said, his voice shaking. "It's just totally wiped out. All the trees are black. ... it just reminded me of Vietnam. It just reminded me of a war zone." One of the last major battles was in Orange County, where firefighters were trying to stop the 25,000-acre Santiago fire. The blaze, which has destroyed 14 homes and was burning into the Cleveland National Forest, was being investigated by local authorities as well as the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as an arson. A $150,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. A risk firm said insured losses from the fires would likely cost between $900 million and $1.6 billion.

With fires waning, California assesses damage

Though more than 20 fires raged across Southern California into a sixth day, some 8,000 firefighters had brought most of them under control and no more homes were in imminent danger.

Some lost everything to the flames but most of the 500,000 people forced to flee in California's largest evacuation were expected to be back in their homes by the weekend.

As officials began the massive clean-up and recovery operation, a risk firm said insured losses would likely be $900 million to $1.6 billion. Hot, dry winds had whipped up the string of fires but up to three are being treated as arson.

More than 60 people have been injured, many of them firefighters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which along with President George W. Bush endured blistering criticism for the handling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, had some 1,000 people on the ground across Southern California.

Local, state and federal agencies set up "one-stop" centers where Californians who lost their homes or property could apply for aid and get other services as they struggled to regain their footing.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who toured the devastated areas with Bush on Thursday, has won praise for his handling of the fires, which he called "one of the worst disasters in California history."

"It seems fire related. The Harris fire at the border was out there," Johnson said.

2,000 homes gone

About 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged since Sunday, when wildfires began breaking out across the southern half of the state.

"These fires are among the worst disasters in California history, and the president and I just had a heartbreaking tour of the disaster," Schwarzenegger said.

The wildfires broke out during the weekend after the winds began to blow in from the desert at more than 80 mph (130 kph). They have blackened more than 800 square miles in a parched region that suffered its driest summer on record.

San Diego County has suffered some $1 billion in losses, and three of the largest fires were still burning there, mostly in the eastern, less populated part of the county.

But most evacuees were allowed to return home and Qualcomm Stadium, which had provided shelter for some 10,000 people at the height of the disaster, was closed.

Steve Conner, 62, whose home was one of 30 reduced to ruins on his block in suburban San Diego, described the moment he confronted the loss of his house and neighborhood as a "total breakdown."

"Emotionally, it was just beyond belief," the Vietnam War infantry veteran said, his voice shaking. "It's just totally wiped out. All the trees are black. ... it just reminded me of Vietnam. It just reminded me of a war zone."

One of the last major battles was in Orange County, where firefighters were trying to stop the 25,000-acre Santiago fire.

The blaze, which has destroyed 14 homes and was burning into the Cleveland National Forest, was being investigated by local authorities as well as the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as an arson. A $150,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

A risk firm said insured losses from the fires would likely cost between $900 million and $1.6 billion.