Derek Ross has his hands full with the Woolsey Fire in Southern California for three reasons.

He’s an insurance agent with numerous clients affected, he’s the president of the board of a school district that’s had to close due to the blaze and he lives in a small town that has been devastated by the fire.

Ross, who had to evacuate with his family last week when the fire broke out, spending the night in their car because nearby hotels were booked up, has been busy lately.

“I’m living the experience and also working with my clients to help them out,” said Ross, president of Kulchin Ross Insurance Services LLC, a small agency in Tarzana with roughly 25 employees.

Wildfires in California have burned nearly a quarter-million-acres, destroyed more than 9,000 structures and caused 53 deaths.

The Camp Fire in Northern California’s Butte County is now considered the deadliest and the most destructive wildfire in state history. CalFire reports the blaze is 35 percent contained and has killed 51 people, burned 135,000 acres and destroyed more than 7,600 residences and 260 commercial structures. Another 15,000 structures remain threatened.

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