King Fire: Financing the $53 million fire fight

A firefighter with the Gabilan Camp crew hoses down hot spots during a controlled burn to fight the King Fire on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, near Placerville, Calif. Crews scrambled Monday to extend control lines around a massive Northern California wildfire threatening thousands of homes as they braced for strong, erratic winds similar to when the blaze doubled in size a week ago. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The King Fire near Sacramento is about 90 percent contained but has cost over $50 million so far. Capitol Public Radio's Katie Orr explains how the fire is being paid for.

The King Fire near Sacramento is almost 90 percent contained but the blaze has been burning for weeks and has cost more than $53 million so far.

Cal Fire Finance Section Chief Steve Hawks says the King Fire is costing about $5 million a day, Capitol Public Radio's Katie Orr reports.

Costs like food for 5,600 people assigned to the fire, fuel for the trucks and other heavy equipment and rented bunks for tired personnel add up fast.

Orr explains how the money keeps flowing to fight the fire.