Calmer winds offered northern California a slight break from the raging, deadly wildfires on Sunday even as they continued to burn over 217,000 acres, authorities said.
And weary locals hoping to return to their homes and assess damage were given some good news, as some mandatory evacuations were lifted overnight as wind conditions improved, said Jaime Williams, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.
“Winds were not as gusty last night and they are expected to remain light Sunday,” she said.
The number of evacuees dropped overnight from about 100,000 to just under 75,000 thanks in no small part to the work of 11,000 firefighters, Williams said.
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Cal Fire provided a list of points to keep in mind for returning residents:
- If returning home, secure your property and try to reduce hazards
- Be aware that crews are still working to extinguish hotspots and will continue to patrol the area
- Check for trees or brush that may have been weakened by the fire
- Walk around your property and check for burning embers
- Check your home’s power panel to make sure it is still intact and not damaged
- Check inside your home and its venting system where embers can travel and smolder sparking structural fires
- Keep away from burned trees that leave white ash piles that can cause severe injury if stepped on or into
Of the 10 counties ablaze, Sonoma had the most fire related deaths with 22, while Mendicino county had eight deaths, Napa county had six, and Yuba county had four, officials said.
Related: Wineries at Risk as Wildfires Rage in Northern California
On Saturday, California Gov. Jerry ” Gov. Jerry Brown called the wildfires “one of the greatest if not the greatest tragedy California has ever faced.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates