At the 4 p.m. press conference, we learned that 346 houses on approximately 35 streets burned. Earlier we had heard that information wouldn’t be available until at least noon tomorrow, so it seems like a good sign that the fires in those areas are now under control enough that numbers could be tallied. There will be a meeting tonight at 8 for the evacuees from Mountain Shadows and Peregrine, at which they will learn specifically which houses burned. The list of streets has been released; for those with relatives and friends who live in those areas, here it is. Specific addresses won’t be made available publicly until homeowners have been notified.

The fire is now 10% contained–twice the percentage from yesterday–and 1,200 firefighters are combating it. Cooler temperatures and 30% humidity today helped a lot. (Humidity had been in the single digits and temps in the high 90s.)

We have heard stores of firefighters working 24 to 48 hours straight, catching a few hours of sleep on the pavement somewhere, and going right back to work. No one is forcing them to put in these hours; they are that dedicated to saving as many homes as possible and trying to get this fire under control. The authorities are crediting them for keeping many more houses from burning. Homeowners who know their houses were spared are also expressing gratitude and appreciation.

In regard to whether the fire is due to arson, officially we have heard there is no evidence of that. The FBI is involved in helping determine the cause.

Today the smoke is not so bad in the city; I couldn’t even smell it when I went out. We can see plumes of smoke from the mountains, but not the overwhelming haze or billowing clouds from other days this week.