Catastrophic Northern California fire is finally contained

After a brief delay to let a downpour pass, volunteers resume their search for human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, California. The massive downpour has now been contained. Photo / AP

A massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes in Northern California is finally contained

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said yesterday that the Camp fire has been surrounded by firefighters after several days of rain.

This photo from November 8 of the Camp Fire at it raged through Paradise, California. Photo / AP

Crews continue sifting through muddy ash for human remains in and around the devastated town of Paradise.

The nation's deadliest wildfire in a century killed at least 85 people, and 249 are on a list of those unaccounted for.

The flames broke out November 8 and quickly ripped through 620 square kilometres of dry brush and timber.

Nearly 19,000 buildings, most of them homes, are gone.

- AP