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05/04/2024 01:51:42 am

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Fight Against California King Fire Exceeds $53M

California King Fire

(Photo : Reuters)

The California King Fire, which destroyed several homes, is said to be the second-most expensive fire to fight in the state this year, authorities said Wednesday.

In a statement released by Daniel Berlant, spokesperson of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, it stated that the cost of fighting the King Fire has already exceeded US$53 million.

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The most costly fire to fight this year has been the one in Klamath National forest on the border of California and Oregon, which cost nearly $86 million.

However, according to Berlant, the figures are still nowhere near the cost of the fight against the Rim Fire in Yosemite National Park in 2013, which cost more than $127 million.

On Tuesday, about 35 percent of the fire east of Sacramento had already been contained, according to official reports.

Crews of over 7,600 firefighters were sent to battle the fire that destroyed dozens of homes and still threatens thousands more.

According to Berlant, fighting a massive blaze would require plenty of resources.

"Protecting people and their properties is the top priority," Berlant said, adding that until the king fire has been contained, fire fighters will continue to do their job.

Because of the threat that the king fire has posed, Gov. Kerry Brown declared a state of emergency last week, which allowed the government to allocate more funds towards containing it.

 Firefighters from Florida and Alaska have contributed their manpower to help their Californian counterparts in putting out the fire.

The wildfire, which officials believe was intentionally set up on Sept. 13, is the highest priority fire in the state, according to state fire battalion chief Scott McLean.

According to McLean, despite the enormity of the fire, the state still has more than enough resources to continue its operation.

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