Wildfires rage across Southern California

A flurry of wildfires torched more than 65,000 acres in Southern California and are likely to have destroyed hundreds of buildings, according to news reports.

More than 27,000 people were given evacuation orders as the fires pushed towards the cities of Santa Paula and Ventura, which have a combined population of about 140,000.

Blazes broke out on Monday, Dec. 4, and spread across 50,000 acres. Powerful Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions fuelled at least five wildfires, marking what has been a devastating year for fires in California.

Losses from California wildfires occurred in October are expected to reach between $8 billion and $10.5 billion, according to risk modelling firm AIR Worldwide.

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