SAN DIEGO — An easing of the winds fueling Southern California's wildfires finally gave firefighters a chance to fight back against some blazes Wednesday, and weary residents could take solace in only one confirmed death from the flames.
That contrasts to 22 dead from a fire of similar magnitude in 2003.
So far, this week's fires have destroyed about 1,500 homes and burned 682 square miles across five counties, from Ventura in the north all the way into Mexico. An earlier report stating that more than 1,800 houses were destroyed was incorrect.
For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Subscribers can read the story here on ArkansasOnline.