"President Obama Declares Major Disaster in California Fire"

"MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — President Barack Obama declared a major disaster Tuesday in a Northern California wildfire that has destroyed at least 1,200 homes and killed at least three people.

The declaration issued for the fire that broke out in Lake County 90 miles north of San Francisco releases federal money for recovery and cleanup, including grant money for temporary housing and home repairs.

The devastating wildfire that started Sept. 12 ranks among California's most destructive and stands at 79 percent contained with 118 square miles scorched. Thousands of people fled their homes at the peak of the fire, and two men remain missing, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday."

The Associated Press had the story September 22, 2015.