
(CNN)As deadly wildfires that have claimed at least 31 lives continue to scorch California, officials are trying to help people find hundreds of missing loved ones.
Many of the missing are from Butte County, where the most destructive fire in state history is burning.Some 228 people remain unaccounted for in the Camp fire, county Sheriff and Coroner Kory Honea told reporters Sunday evening. Meanwhile, 107 people previously deemed missing have been found, some in shelters, he said.'It's not over yet.' High winds feed California wildfires as death toll risesHonea said his office had received more than 550 calls from people looking for missing friends and relatives.The Camp fire — one of the state’s deadliest — virtually obliterated the town of Paradise, home to more than 26,000 people.Read MoreTwenty-nine people have died in the Northern California blaze. Further south, near Los Angeles, the Woolsey fire has claimed two lives.The National Weather Service warned early Monday that “dangerous fire weather” was expected to continue in California.”A tight pressure gradient will keep producing high winds, and very dry air is in place with low relative humidities. This plus the ongoing drought conditions will all create conditions favorable for fire weather,” it said.Honea said 10 coroner search and recovery teams were helping with the search for Camp fire victims’ remains.’I’m not giving up hope’Near an evacuation center at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, Sol Bechtold told CNN affiliate KRON that he was looking for his mother, Joanne Caddy, who had been missing since Thursday.
A firefighter looks through a destroyed home in Paradise.Holding a poster of his mother in front of him, Bechtold said it had been a rough few days.”We learned her house was destroyed the other day so don’t know what’s happened to her — she’s kind of homebound, she doesn’t have a car. I need to find my mom — I’m not giving up hope she’s out there,” he said.
Joanne Caddy has been missing since Thursday. CNN affiliate KTXL reported that many fire victims were still helping others. More than 30 Butte County Sheriff’s deputies reported for duty despite losing their homes, the news station reported.
Here's how you can help those affected by the California wildfiresColusa Police Sgt. Jarrod Hughes told KTXL that his Paradise home had been destroyed in the blaze, but that he had donned his uniform and returned to work once he got his son to safety.Hughes has been looking for the missing and dead.”It’s my community, it’s where I grew up. It’s something I absolutely had to do,” Hughes said. “There was no question about it. It was get my family to safety so I can get in and get back up there and help everybody else.”The latest• Camp Fire: The largest of the trio, the Camp Fire has burned 111,000 acres across Northern California and is 25% contained as of Sunday night, according to Cal Fire. It has destroyed an estimated 6,700 buildings, most of which were homes. • Woolsey and Hill fires: In Southern California, the Woolsey fire had spread to 85,500 acres and was 15% contained Sunday night, up from 5% the night before. The smaller Hill Fire covered 4,531 acres and was 75% contained. Together, the fires are responsible for the destruction of 179 structures, but another 57,000 are threatened, according to fire officials. • Massive evacuations: More than 300,000 people have been forced from their homes statewide. The majority of those residents are in Los Angeles County, where 170,000 were evacuated.
Winds, climate change provoking firesAmong those to evacuate were some celebrities whose homes have been lost to the fires.
Neil Young, Gerard Butler, Robin Thicke among those to lose homes in California wildfiresThe homes of Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Robin Thicke and Gerard Butler are among those scorched in the Woolsey blaze. Butler posted a photo on Twitter of the charred remains of a Malibu home and thanked firefighters for their courage. Thicke posted a statement on Instagram thanking firefighters and volunteers who “risked their lives trying to save our home.”In a post on his official website decrying the impact of climate change, Young said “I have lost my home before to a California wildfire, now another.”California Gov. Jerry Brown also lamented the role of climate change in driving the fires.”This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal,” Brown said. “The chickens are coming home to roost, this is real here.”Resources, including dozens of fire trucks and thousands of firefighters, are pouring in from out of state.
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFirefighters battle a blaze at the Salvation Army Camp in Malibu, California, on Saturday, November 10.Hide Caption 1 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA bag containing human remains lies on the ground as officials continue to search for victims at a burned out home in Paradise, California, on Sunday, November 11.Hide Caption 2 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaCathy Fallon, center, who stayed behind to tend to her horses during the Camp Fire in Paradise, embraces Shawna De Long, left, and April Smith, who brought supplies for the horses.Hide Caption 3 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFirefighters douse burning embers off a canyon road which cuts across the mountains to Malibu, California, on November 11.Hide Caption 4 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA plane drops fire retardant on a burning hillside on November 11 in Malibu.Hide Caption 5 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaEvacuee Brian Etter and his dog Tone, who walked on foot to escape the Camp Fire, rest in the parking lot of Neighborhood Church of Chico on November 11 in Chico, California.Hide Caption 6 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaCulver City Fire Department firefighters watch the Woolsey Fire from a burned home on Flintlock Lane in West Hills on November 11.Hide Caption 7 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA home destroyed by the Woolsey Fire on Flintlock Lane in West Hills on November 11.Hide Caption 8 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA woman runs as firefighters work to control a flareup due to flying embers from the Woolsey Fire on Saturday in Calabasas.Hide Caption 9 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe sun rises Sunday as the Woolsey Fire continues to burn in Malibu.Hide Caption 10 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe Camp Fire burns in the hills Saturday near Big Bend.Hide Caption 11 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaYuba and Butte County sheriff deputies carry a body bag with a victim of the Camp Fire on Saturday in Paradise.Hide Caption 12 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaScorched hillsides and damaged power lines are seen along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Saturday, after the Woosley Fire tore through the area overnight. Hide Caption 13 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaAraya Cipollini cries Saturday near the remains of her family’s home in Paradise. The Camp Fire, the blaze that started Thursday outside the hilly town, has become California’s most destructive wildfire on record.Hide Caption 14 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaLos Angeles County firefighterswork in Malibu Creek State Park during the Woolsey Fire on Saturday.Hide Caption 15 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA deer looks on Saturday from a burned residence after the Camp Fire tore through the area in Paradise.Hide Caption 16 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA fire truck is seen Saturday on Pacific Coast Highway as the Woolsey Fire continues to burn in Malibu.Hide Caption 17 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaEric England searches through a friend’s vehicle Saturday after the wildfire burned through Paradise. Hide Caption 18 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaSheriff’s deputies on Saturday walk through a neighborhood destroyed by the Camp Fire near Paradise.Hide Caption 19 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA satellite image shows burned vegetation as a result of the Woolsey Fire on Saturday in Southern California.Hide Caption 20 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFirefighters meet Saturday morning in Paradise.Hide Caption 21 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaRoger Bloxberg and his wife, Anne, hug as they watch a wildfire on a hilltop Friday, near their home in the West Hills area of Los Angeles.Hide Caption 22 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaMalibu Mayor Rick Mullen, who is also a firefighter, surveys a house engulfed in flames in his city as the Woolsey Fire comes down a hill Friday.Hide Caption 23 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA massive smoke plume, powered by strong winds, rises above the Woolsey Fire in Malibu on Friday.Hide Caption 24 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaCathy Fallon stands near the charred remains of her home in Paradise on Friday. The Camp Fire has wiped out much of the town north of Sacramento.Hide Caption 25 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA firefighter sprays down palm trees as the Woolsey Fire burns in Malibu on Friday. Hide Caption 26 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaLlamas are tied to a lifeguard stand on the beach in Malibu on Friday.Hide Caption 27 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFires burn toward the Pacific Ocean as seen Friday from a helicopter over Malibu. Hide Caption 28 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA woman reacts to devastation of the Woolsey Fire in Malibu on Friday. Hide Caption 29 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA row of palm trees stands as the Woolsey Fire continues to burn in Malibu on Friday.Hide Caption 30 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFirefighters Omar Velasquez, center, Cory Darrigo, left, and Sam Quan rest in the backyard of a home in Westlake Village on Friday after battling the Woolsey Fire all night.Hide Caption 31 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaGabi and Jonah Frank walk on the Pacific Coast Highway as the Woolsey Fire threatens their Malibu home on Friday.Hide Caption 32 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA satellite image taken by NASA’s Operational Land Imager shows the Camp Fire in Northern California.Hide Caption 33 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA firefighter keeps watch as the Woolsey Fire burns a home near Malibou Lake on Friday. Hide Caption 34 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe Woolsey Fire burns in Malibu on Friday. The community is known for celebrity beachside homes.Hide Caption 35 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaDoug Thomas and his dog Hanna rest Friday while they await word if they can return to their Malibu Lake home.Hide Caption 36 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaCars destroyed by the Camp Fire sit in a used car lot in Paradise on November 9.Hide Caption 37 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFirefighters battle flames in Thousand Oaks early November 9.Hide Caption 38 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaEvacuees rest on cots supplied by the Red Cross at a Los Angeles high school gym on November 9.Hide Caption 39 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFire Capt. Steve Millosovich carries a cage of cats that fell from an evacuee’s pickup while he battles the Camp Fire in Big Bend on November 9.Hide Caption 40 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaSmoke billows above Malibu trees in this photo posted to Instagram by Julie Ellerton.Hide Caption 41 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFirefighters push a vehicle from a garage as the Woolsey Fire burns a home in Malibu on November 9.Hide Caption 42 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaPatients are evacuated from Paradise’s Feather River Hospital as it burns on Thursday, November 8.Hide Caption 43 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaJuanita and Wayne McLish sit on a curb November 8 after losing their house to the Camp Fire in Paradise.Hide Caption 44 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe Hill Fire burns in Thousand Oaks on November 8.Hide Caption 45 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe Woolsey Fire burns in Ventura County, where Jason Bauer told CNN his parents had just been evacuated from their home.Hide Caption 46 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaPeople embrace in the parking lot of a Paradise hospital as the Camp Fire engulfed it on November 8.Hide Caption 47 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe Paradise Inn burns on November 8.Hide Caption 48 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA firefighter works to extinguish a spot fire at a home in Paradise.Hide Caption 49 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaVehicles and homes burn as the Camp Fire rips through Paradise, California, on Thursday, November 8. A state of emergency has been declared in Butte County, where thousands have been forced to evacuate.Hide Caption 50 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaDogs roam a burned-out neighborhood in Paradise.Hide Caption 51 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaHospital staff and first responders evacuate patients from the Feather River Hospital in Paradise on November 8.Hide Caption 52 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA fire emergency crew works to protect the Paradise Town Hall from the encroaching Camp Fire on November 8.Hide Caption 53 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise.Hide Caption 54 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA vintage car rests among debris in Paradise.Hide Caption 55 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaMedical personnel evacuate patients as the Feather River Hospital burns in Paradise on November 8.Hide Caption 56 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaSmoke fills the sky over Paradise on November 8. Paradise, located about 85 miles north of Sacramento, has 26,000 residents. Hide Caption 57 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaThe remains of a building are seen after being consumed by the Camp Fire.Hide Caption 58 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA firefighter monitors a burning home on November 8.Hide Caption 59 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaCalifornia Highway Patrol officers attempt to transfer a potbelly pig they rescued in Butte County on November 8.Hide Caption 60 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA Paradise home is engulfed in flames on November 8. Hide Caption 61 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaA group of firefighters monitor a back fire while attempting to save homes in Paradise on November 8. Hide Caption 62 of 63
Photos: In pictures: Wildfires tear across CaliforniaFlames burn inside a van as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise on November 8.Hide Caption 63 of 63
Firefighters on Sunday managed to contain flare-ups generated by high winds in canyons along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and Bell Canyon in Ventura County, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said. But officials warned that the dry conditions feeding the fire are expected to continue into the week and new flare-ups are possible. Though the state’s drought has eased slightly, it’s still abnormally dry, according to CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward. That leaves a lot of dry vegetation to feed fires. Osby urged those in mandatory evacuation zones to leave, warning that they can get in the way of firefighting efforts. “We must remain vigilant and not let our guard down,” Osby said.Crews searching for the deadCrews on the scenes of the fires are combing through blackened ruins of homes. The number of dead more than doubled late Saturday, and continued to rise on Sunday.
Why the California wildfires are spreading so quicklySo far, 29 bodies have been recovered in or near Paradise, a town of about 26,000 that’s been all but leveled by the Camp fire. Of the six discovered Sunday, five were in homes and one was in a vehicle.On Sunday, officials confirmed that two deaths in Malibu were related to the Woolsey Fire, bringing the statewide death toll to 31.
Sheriff deputies walk through a neighborhood destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 10, 2018 near Paradise, California. The painstaking process of finding the missing and identifying the dead is challenging, with some of the bodies recovered burned beyond recognition.”In some cases, the only remains we are able to recover are bones or bone fragments,” Honea, the Butte County sheriff and coroner, told reporters. “I know that members of the community who are missing loved ones are anxious, and I know that the news of us recovering bodies has to be disconcerting.”Many bodies recovered from the Camp Fire were found inside or near homes or in vehicles, officials said.
Yuba County Sheriff officers carry a body away from a burned residence in Paradise, California, on November 10, 2018.Hours after the fire broke out, residents fleeing Paradise became trapped in gridlock traffic as the fire closed in. Some drivers abandoned their vehicles in the chaos and attempted to escape on foot.
Source Link:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/12/us/california-wildfires-woolsey-camp-hill-missing/index.html
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