California wildfires fully contained after month of efforts

By Brady Knox

Published February 3, 2025 5:42pm ET

After nearly a month of intensive efforts, the costliest wildfires in United States history have been fully contained.

Beginning on Jan. 7 amid dry conditions and unusually high winds, the fires ravaged the Californian coast for weeks, requiring a response from an international coalition of 51,818 emergency personnel, according to Cal Fire. The flames burned 57,636 acres, destroyed 16,255 structures, and killed at least 29 people.