Consuming tens of thousands of acres
When it comes to disasters, California can't seem to catch a break.
Wildfires are scorching thousands of acres. Floods and droughts are unleashing havoc on homeowners and farmers. Last month, an earthquake destroyed thousands of barrels of Napa Valley's world famous Chardonnays, Malbecs and Pinot Noirs.
But while the impact of a spate of natural disasters is being felt unevenly among industries and regions, economists say the Golden State's economy is unlikely suffer overall.
Like much else that happens in the country's most populous state, California has been experiencing more than its share of nature's wrath. After a series of temblors in March, Napa Valley wine growers last month woke up to a 6.0 Richter scale jolt that made a mess of some 120 wineries and inflicted an estimated $300 million in damages.
This weekend, thousands of firefighters are battling more than a dozen wildfires consuming tens of thousands of acres. State officials say this year's fire season, which runs from May to October, is on track to be the most destructive on record. A devastating three years of drought has dried out brush and trees, helping fuel the flames.