California's largest wildfires contained after weeks of devastation

Two of the largest wildfires in California that have burned thousands of acres and prompted tens of thousands to evacuate have been fully contained after over three weeks of devastation, officials confirmed late Friday.

The Palisades Fire, which broke out on Jan. 7, burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 6,800 structures. The Eaton Fire, which kicked off in Altadena, burned just over 14,000 acres and destroyed over 9,000 structures, according to CalFire.

Officials updated the data overnight as both fires reached 100 percent containment. This means firefighters have the blaze’s perimeter under control and the line can be held.

The two wildfires, which have ravaged neighborhoods and leveled thousands of homes, have killed a minimum of 29 people — 17 in the Eaton Fire and 12 in the Palisades fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Office. The cause of both deadly blazes is still under investigation.

The total damage and economic loss from the California wildfires are projected between $250 and $275 billion, according to AccuWeather.

Southern California had some rainfall earlier this week, assisting the firefighters in their containment of the blazes.

“It’s more important when we say forward progress is stopped,” Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesperson Margaret Stewart told Reuters.

But, Stewart stated that recent rain was “more of a hindrance” since it prompted mudslides and some roads used by responders were blocked.

“Had this rain come two weeks ago, it might have been more helpful,” she added.

The fires, which destroyed a slew of celebrities' homes among others, was quickly turned into a political talking point. President Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) found themselves in another feud over the Golden State's water resources being used to contain the blazes.

But, after Trump visited the fire-ravaged city, the two seemingly agreed to work together.

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