NPR

California Fire Officials Begin To Express Optimism About Battling Wildfires

Despite a rising death toll, authorities say "boots on the ground" are showing results in fighting the deadly wildfires.
Fresno firefighter Peter Lopez holds a water hose as he monitors a backburn while fighting a wildfire in Glen Ellen, Calif. / Marcio Jose Sanchez / Shutterstock.com

Updated at 6:30 a.m. ET Saturday:

For the first time since wind-aided flames ripped through Northern California nearly a week ago, local and state fire officials are expressing optimism that they are slowly gaining ground against what are now the deadliest wildfires in the state's history.

More than a dozen fires are burning

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