Northern California may need years to recover from wildfires

Associated Press

SANTA ROSA, Calif.

Sonoma County officials said Saturday it will take at least months and likely years to fully recover from devastating wildfires that ripped through Northern California earlier this month, destroying at least 8,900 structures and killing 42 people.

“We don’t control these things, and it makes you realize how small you are in the world when something like this happens,” Sheriff Rob Giordano said during a memorial ceremony honoring the 42 lives lost.

The memorial service comes nearly three weeks after the fires erupted Oct. 8, going on to force about 100,000 people to evacuate.

U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and five members of Congress attended the service in Santa Rosa, one of the hardest-hit cities, as part of a day of touring the devastated areas and meeting with elected officials.

“I can’t think of anything that surpasses the opportunity to be with all of you today,” Pelosi said before presenting a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol to commemorate the fire victims.

Pelosi was joined by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, who represents the city of Santa Rosa, and Reps. Jared Huffman, Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren and Mark DeSaulnier.

The group toured a destroyed health center and met with county and federal officials to ask how Congress can help. Local officials urged them to cut red tape that makes it harder to get temporary housing and other needed resources for people who lost their homes.

Officials estimate more than $1 billion in losses, but they haven’t provided a hard number.