The 2017 California wildfire season has caused destruction throughout Southern California, leaving residents without homes, killing wildlife and requiring first responders to work endless hours. The six largest fires burned 256,000 acres of land.

Currently, there are five active fires: Rye Fire (west of Valencia, Los Angeles County),  Thomas Fire (north of Santa Paula (Ventura County), Creek Fire (north of Lake View Terrace, within Los Angeles City limits, The Angeles National Forest and within Los Angeles County), and Skirball Fire (Los Angeles County), and (off Old Hwy 395 at Dulin Road, Bonsall, San Diego County).

In October, 250 wildfires ignited across Northern California, burning over 245,00 acres and causing over 9 billion dollars in property losses.

Two months later in early December 2017, the fervent Santa Ana winds ignited a new round of wildfires. This includes the most massive, Thomas Fire in Ventura County and moving toward Santa Barbara County, which forced over 200,000 people to evacuate. The fires have closed multiple highways.

“[We’re] facing a new reality,” said California Governor Jerry Brown. “It’s a horror and a horror we need to recover from.”