<P> Throughout the early months of 2017, there was significant rainfall over most of California, which triggered widespread flooding, thus temporarily mitigating the state's severe drought conditions . However, according to a report published by the National Interagency Fire Center, the potential for large fires was "expected to remain near normal through the spring, but once fine fuels dry out, there will likely be a spike in grass fire activity ." </P> <P> In October 2017, 250 wildfires ignited across Northern California, burning over 245,000 acres (990 km), and causing more than $9.4 billion dollars (2017) in insured property losses, becoming the costliest group of wildfires on record . It will take at least several months, and likely years to fully recover from the devastating wildfires that ripped through Northern California in October, which destroyed at least 8,900 structures and killed 44 people, according to Sonoma County officials . In addition, the Northern California fires hospitalized or injured at least 192 other people . </P> <P> In December 2017, strong Santa Ana winds triggered a new round of wildfires, including the massive Thomas Fire in Ventura County . The December 2017 fires forced over 212,000 people to evacuate, with the 6 largest fires burning over 257,000 acres (1,040 km) and more than 1,000 structures . </P> <P> During the year, 5 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in the state's history burned between October and December: #1 Tubbs, #6 Nuns, #10 Thomas, #11 Atlas, and #17 Redwood Valley Complex . On December 8, AccuWeather predicted that the total economic toll of the 2017 California wildfire season will reach at least $180 billion dollars (2017 USD). </P>

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