The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:33 PM

Firefighters "Turning Corner" On Deadliest California Wildfires In State's History - 40 Dead, 5700 Homes Destroyed, 75K Displaced

Thousands of evacuees got the all-clear to return their homes after fire crews gained ground against devastating California wildfires.

While the danger from the deadliest, most destructive cluster of blazes in California history was far from over, the smoky skies started to clear in some places. People were being allowed to go back home in areas no longer in harm's way. The number of those under evacuation orders fell from nearly 100,000 down to 75,000.

Those who were allowed back into gutted neighborhoods returned to assess the damage and, perhaps, see if anything was salvageable.

Nearly 11,000 firefighters were still battling 15 fires burning across a 100-mile swath of the state.

The Oakland Raiders say they will donate $1 million toward the relief and recovery effort in California wine country.

The NFL team trains in Napa, and long before that, in Santa Rosa, during the offseason.

Team owner Mark Davis says the cities served as the Raiders' summer home for more than 40 years, and the team has built long-lasting relationships with the people and businesses there.


His message to them: "In this time of need, we will be there for you as you have been there for us."

Earlier Sunday, the team held a moment of silence as part of a pregame ceremony for those affected by the wildfires before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers.

(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

11,000 Firefighters

15 Fires

100-Mile Swath Of Area

40 Dead

5700 Homes Destroyed