After 18 days, California's deadliest fire in history is contained

The most devastating fire in California history has been contained.

From The Washington Post:

The Camp Fire - the deadliest, most destructive blaze in California history, which has killed 85 people, destroyed 14,000 residences and charred an area the size of Chicago - has been fully contained, authorities announced Sunday.

Cal Fire, the state's forestry and fire protection agency, made the announcement after spending 17 days beating back a blaze that has roared through 153,000 acres of Butte County, which is north of Sacramento. Three straight days of rain helped more than 1,000 firefighters get a foothold.

While the news that first responders and prisoners roped into fighting the Camp Fire's flames have been able to bring this hellish inferno to heel, it's hardly a celebratory moment. Thousands have lost everything they've owned, save the clothes on their back. Where thriving towns once stood, there's nothing but ash. What's more, as multiple hospitals had to be evacuated, medical care in the areas effected by the fire isn't great. The overflowing shelters where thousands of displaced Californians currently call home are a perfect breeding ground for the spread of viruses and disease. Additionally, as the Washington Post points out, "Areas experiencing significant rainfall following a wildfire are at risk for debris flows and flash flooding."

Those who have been affected by the fire have a long way to go before their lives begin to resemble anything that could be called normal.

Image by Devin Cook - Own work, Public Domain.