BUTTE COUNTY, CA – The death toll has climbed as the number of missing and unaccounted for has soared in the Camp Fire in Northern California, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history.
Authorities said they discovered the remains of eight more people Friday, bringing the death toll to 71. The rising death toll comes as President Donald Trump is expected to visit Paradise.
Butte County Sheriff-Coroner Kory L. Honea said the number of people missing or unaccounted for has spiked to more than 1,000 after authorities vetted previous and incoming reports. He added that many of the unaccounted for may simply be displaced in shelters throughout the region and urged people to look at the list of those missing to let authorities know if they are safe. (Click here to see the Camp Fire Missing Persons List.)
The 148,000-acre Camp Fire forced 52,000 people to evacuate, with 1,385 currently in shelters, officials said. Evacuations remain in place for residents in Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley. (See the full list of evacuation orders and warnings below. Click here for an online, interactive map of the evacuation zone.)
By Saturday morning, the fire was 55 percent contained.
The fire has destroyed 9,700 single-family homes, 144 multi-family homes, 336 businesses and 2,076 minor structures. Another 283 structures were damaged and an additional 15,500 structures remain threatened, according to Cal Fire. (Click here to see the Camp Fire Structure Status map.)
The blaze broke out around 6:30 a.m. Nov. 8, off Camp Creek and Pulga roads near Highway 70 in the Feather River Canyon, according to Cal Fire. By that evening, the fire had exploded to 20,000 acres. Overnight, the flames grew out-of-control to 70,000 acres and have continued to spread daily.
Thousands of firefighters from across California and other states have helped attack the flames from the ground and by air. A total of 5,596 firefighters were assigned to battle the blaze Thursday, including 622 engines, 103 dozers, 101 hand crews, 75 water tenders and 24 helicopters, according to Cal Fire.
Three firefighters have suffered injuries in the fire.
The sheriff’s office has established a Missing Persons Call Center so people can report loved ones who are missing. Call 530-538-6570, 530-538-7544 or 530-538-7671.
Residents and business owners impacted by the fire can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). (Click here to see the Camp Fire Structure Status map.)
The cause of the Camp Fire remained under investigation. The blaze is expected to be fully contained by Friday, Nov. 30, Cal Fire officials said.
*Updated as of Friday, Nov. 16:
Evacuation Orders
Evacuation orders have been established for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley:
Evacuation Warnings
Evacuation Shelters
Evacuation shelters that remain open:
Evacuation shelters that were full/no longer accepting additional evacuees:
Animal Shelters
Evacuated residents should take their animals with them. Bring food, water, bedding and any containment devices necessary. If evacuees are unable to take large animals, they should be left in open pastures with food, county officials said. Animals should not be locked up in a barn.
Residents can contact North Valley Animal Disaster Group at 530-895-0000 to report lost pets.
Small animals can be taken to:
Large animals can be taken to:
Closures
All Butte County public schools have been closed through Friday, Nov. 23.
Classes at Chico State have been canceled until Monday, Nov. 26.
Road Closures
Roads have been closed at the following locations:
How To Help
The Butte County Office of Education has established the Schools Fire Relief Fund to help schools impacted by the Camp Fire.
The North Valley Community Foundation has established the Northern California Fire Relief Fund to help community organizations serving those affected by the fire.
People can also click here to donate to the United Way of Northern California Camp Fire Fund by texting “Butte Fire” to 91999.
Brand new clothing can be dropped off at 2850 Feather River Blvd. in Oroville.
Supplies
People can pick-up supplies at the Oroville Municipal Auditorium at 1200 Myers St. in Oroville. Clothing, pet goods and small appliances are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
United Way of Northern California is accepting applications for emergency cash assistance from those who lost their homes in the Camp Fire. These will be one-time grants designed to help with urgent basic necessities such as food, gas and clothing. Amounts given will depend on need and available resources. UWNC cannot guarantee that all applicants will receive funding.
Volunteering
An emergency volunteer center was opened at Caring Choices at 1398 Ridgewood Drive in Chico. People interested in volunteering can call 530-899-3873 or download a volunteer application at www.caring-choices.org.
The Salvation Army opened a distribution center at 1100 Marauder St. in Chico. The warehouse will serve as a site to collect in-kind donations and to distribute items to people impacted by the fire.
The Salvation Army is not accepting used goods. The following new in-kind items will be accepted:
Monetary gifts, gas cards and local vendor gift cards can also be dropped off at the distribution center.
The center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For large donations, call 530-776-1009 for an assigned drop-off time.
Also See:
–By Patch editor Kristina Houck
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–A rescue worker and her cadaver dog search the Paradise Gardens apartments for victims of the Camp Fire on November 16, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)