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A New Zealander caught up in the California fires has told of the devastation wrought by the inferno.
Aaron Rigg, who grew up in Putaruru but now works as a project manager in San Diego, told the Weekend Herald he wanted to get his twin 15-month-old daughters back to their home in Rancho Bernado after being evacuated by firefighters on Tuesday.
Despite fearing the worst, Mr Rigg was given the all-clear to return to his home yesterday.
But Mr Rigg was among the lucky ones and he said more than 600 homes and at least 100 commercial and other buildings had been destroyed in the Rancho Bernado community.
With the California fires raging into their sixth day and the death toll understood to be at 12, Mr Rigg said firefighters faced a huge battle.
"The fires are far from over, with most of the major fires only 20 per cent contained," he said. "The air quality here in San Diego is still poor ... many people are wearing surgical masks to prevent inhaling ash and chemical particles."
San Diego County has suffered around US$1 billion ($1.3 billion) in damages.
