Diminishing Winds Help Firefighters Battle California Blaze

Wildfires continue to sweep across California, claiming land, homes, and lives.

The relentless fires have scorched more than 50,000 acres and killed at least two people. Authorities expect the death toll to rise over the next few days.

Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency after mobilizing more than 4,000 firefighters over the last two weeks. The 68-square-mile wildfire has destroyed more than 80 homes, many belonging to retirees. At least 2,500 homes are still threatened by the flames. 

But changing weather conditions have firefighters hopeful. The wind that initially spread the fire is dying down, helping firemen to contain 10 percent of the blaze. 

"We didn't have as much wind," Capt. Tyler Townsend with the Kern County Fire Department said on Sunday. "That helped." Townsend also said firefighters are trying to create a perimeter around the fire to help extinguish it. 

"Our crews are feeling pretty good," said operations chief Joe Reyes. "If the winds don't act up drastically, we are hoping to make headway in the next 24 hours."
    
Firefighters say they hope to have the blaze fully contained by June 30.