SAN DIEGO -- State insurance commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner announced Monday that his office helped San Diego County victims of the 2007 wildfires recover more than $27 million from their insurance companies.

The California Department of Insurance received 391 complaints about insurance companies following the Witch Creek fire. About 70 of those complaints were allegations of under-insurance, according to Poizner.

"I am pleased that the department's aggressive action on behalf of consumers has resulted in more than $27 million back in the pockets of wildfire survivors," said Poizner. "Insurers understand that I simply will not allow them to give consumers the runaround."

Poizner made the announcement at a residence in Escondido.

The Witch Creek fire destroyed 1,650 homes in San Diego County. The 2007 wildfires resulted in nearly 40,000 claims and caused an estimated $2.3 billion in damages, according to Poizner's office.