Over 1K Homes Destroyed in 2 California Wildfires

The number of homes destroyed by two large Northern California wildfires surpassed 1,000 Saturday, following damage assessments in the Sierra Nevada foothills by authorities that found an additional 250 destroyed houses as flames threaten thousands more.

The Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras Counties has destroyed 511 homes and burned 70,760, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire, which has killed two people, was about 67 percent contained Saturday and threatening about 6,400 structures.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Valley Fire in Southern Lake County has destroyed 585 homes and burned 74,500 acres. It was 50 percent contained and threatening about 7,253 homes.

The Valley Fire also brought an evacuation order of 19,000 people.

Scott Mclean, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said Friday 100-degree weather was expected for the next couple of days, which he said made it even more necessary to contain those fires immediately.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.