Insurance claim figures from destructive fires
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has released the first figures on insurance claims from destructive December 2017 wildfires in Southern California. The Thomas fire, the largest recorded blaze in state history, burned for more than a month across 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) in two counties and destroyed at least 1,063 structures. Here are some key numbers encompassing the Thomas fire and six other significant blazes during December in Southern California:
NUMBER OF MAJOR WILDFIRES: 7.
AREA BURNED: 481 square miles (1,246 square kilometers).
DEATHS: 1 civilian, 1 firefighter.
NON-FATAL INJURIES: 12 firefighters, 7 civilians.
HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS DESTROYED: 1,355.
EVACUATIONS: The fires prompted orders for more than 200,000 people to leave their homes.
ESTIMATED LOSSES IN BUILDINGS, CARS AND EQUIPMENT: $1.8 billion.
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Sources: U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and California Insurance Department.
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