CRESTLINE, Calif., Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A top official Sunday declared the "worst is over" in Southern California, where wildfires have destroyed more than 800,000 acres.
"I think the worst is over," FEMA Director Michael Brown told CNN. The air had finally cleared of heavy smoke.
The wildfires in five counties claimed 20 lives and devastated an area slightly smaller than Rhode Island.
The Padua and Simi Valley fires, north and northwest of Los Angeles, were declared fully contained Sunday.
A few fires were still burning Sunday, including the one known as "Old Fire" near San Bernardino. It was 72 percent contained, CNN reported.
Mandatory evacuations were lifted Sunday for several communities affected by the Old fire, but officials said it could be weeks before power was restored.
San Bernardino County's Grand Prix fire, one of three major wildfires in the mountains, was 95 percent contained and further south near San Diego, the Cedar fire, largest in state history, should be contained by Monday.
