42 Dead In ​​Camp Fire: The Deadliest Wildfire In CA History

BUTTE COUNTY, CA – The death toll continues to rise in the Camp Fire in Butte County, which has become the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The fire ripped through the small town of Paradise and killed 42 people.

Latest: Camp Fire: Deadliest, Most Destructive Wildfire In CA History

A total of 42 bodies have been found so far in the Camp Fire, making it the deadliest wildfire in state history. The remains of 13 victims were found Monday, Nov. 12.

Dozens of more people were still unaccounted for, officials said, though many of the missing may be in shelters and unable to contact loved ones who reported them to authorities.

The Camp Fire has also become the most destructive fire in state history, scorching 117,000 acres and destroying 6,453 homes, 260 businesses and 389 minor structures. Another 15,500 structures remain threatened from the blaze, according to Cal Fire.

The blaze broke out around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, off Camp Creek and Pulga roads near Highway 70 in the Feather River Canyon, near the town of Paradise and not far from the city of Chico, 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 continued to spread daily.

The fire was considered 30 percent contained as of Monday evening.

Thousands of firefighters from across the state and as far away as South Dakota have helped attack the flames from the ground and by air. A total of 4,555 firefighters were assigned to battle the blaze Monday, including 571 engines, 91 fire crews, 88 dozers, 59 water tenders and 21 helicopters, according to Cal Fire.

Three firefighters have been injured in the fire.

About 52,000 people have been evacuated, 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.)

The Camp Fire was one of two major blazes burning in California. In Southern California, the Woolsey Fire erupted in Ventura County but raced into Los Angeles County. Two people were killed in the fire with more than 90,000 acres burned and an estimated 370 structures destroyed. Another fire in Ventura County, called the Hill Fire, has scorched more than 4,500 acres and destroyed two structures.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced Sunday, Nov. 12, he has requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump, in addition to an earlier emergency declaration signed by Trump that will provide federal funds to help firefighters.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services has also activated the State Operations Center in Mather, California, to its highest level and was coordinating with other local, state and federal emergency response officials to address emergency management needs.

"We have the best firefighters and first responders in the country working in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable. We're putting everything we've got into the fight against these fires and this request ensures communities on the front lines get additional federal aid," Brown said. "To those who have lost friends and family members, homes and businesses, know that the entire state is with you. As Californians, we are strong and resilient, and together we will recover."

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.

Evacuation Orders

Evacuation orders have been established for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley:

• Powellton Zone
• Lovelock Zone
• Humbug Zone
• Stirling Zone
• North Coutelenc Zone
• North Fir Haven Zone
• Nimshew Zone
• Carnegie/Colter Zone
• South Fir Haven Zone
• South Coutelenc Zone
• North Pines Zone
• South Pines Zone
• Old Magalia Zone
• Lower Pentz Zone
• Morgan Ridge Zone
• Lower Clark Zone
• Butte Creek Road
• Centerville Road
• Concow
• Pulga
• Yankee Hill
• Morgan Ridge
• Skyway from lower Paradise to the Chico city limits
• Highway 32 at Nopel south all the way to Chico city limits
• Highway 70 from Pulga to West Branch Feather River Bridge
• All of Clark Road and all of Pentz Road, south to Highway 70, everything west to Highway 99 and south to Highway 149, including all of Butte Valley
• Shippee Road from Highway 149 to Highway 99
• Cherokee Road to Highway 70 to Lake Oroville south to Table Mountain Boulevard
• Eastbound Highway 162/Oro Quincy Highway at Forbestown Road east to Mountain House Road/4 Mile Ridge Road, including the communities of Berry Creek, Brush Creek, Mountain House and Bloomer Hill

Click here for an online, interactive map of the evacuation zone.

Evacuation Warnings

• Highway 162 to Highway 99 to Highway 149 to 70 (with exception of Shippee Road from Highway 149 to Highway 99)
• Nopel Road at Highway 32, north to the county line
• Highway 99 east to Highway 70 from Highway 162 north to Highway 149

Evacuation Shelters

Evacuation shelters have been opened at the following locations:

• Bidwell Junior High School at 2376 North Ave. in Chico (OPEN)
• Butte County Fairgrounds at 199 E. Hazel St. in Gridley (OPEN)
• Glenn County Fairgrounds at 221 E. Yolo St. in Orland (OPEN)
• Plumas County Fairgrounds at 204 Fairground Road in Quincy (OPEN)
• Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds at 442 Franklin Ave. in Yuba City (OPEN)
• Neighborhood Church of Chico at 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. in Chico (FULL)
• Oroville Church of the Nazarene at 2238 Monte Vista Ave. in Oroville (FULL)
• Chico Elks Lodge at 1705 Manzanita Ave. in Chico (CLOSED)

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:

• Chico Municipal Airport at 150 Airpark Blvd. in Chico (OPEN)
• Old Oroville Hospital at 2279 Del Oro Road, Suite E, in Oroville (FULL)

Large animals can be taken to:

• Butte County Fairgrounds at 199 E. Hazel St. in Gridley (OPEN)

Closures

Butte County offices and facilities located in areas under evacuation orders were closed Friday, Nov. 9, to the public, county officials said. The Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility was also closed to the public. County offices outside evacuation areas remained open.

All Butte County public schools have been closed through Friday, Nov. 23, officials said.

Classes at Chico State were canceled until Monday, Nov. 26.

Road Closures

Roads have been closed at the following locations:

• SR-70 at Pentz
• SR-70 at Wheelock
• SR-70 at SR-191
• Durham Pentz East from 99
• Neal Road East from 99
• Skyway at Honey Run at Paradise
• SR-149 SB off to SR-70 EB
• SR-70 NB off to SR-70 EB
• SR-70 at Cherokee
• SR-32 at Yosemite EB
• Cherokee at Water Service Dirt Road
• East 20th at Dawncrest Drive
• Skyway at Humboldt
• Skyway at DeSable
• Humboldt at Bruce
• SR-162 (Oro Quincy) at Forbestown Road
• Oro Quncy Highway at Upper Bald Rock Road
• SR-162 (Oro Quncy) at Stephens Ridge Road (lower end)
• SR-32 at Headwaters Road
• SR-32 at Schott Road
• SR-32 at Garland
• SR-70 at Deadwood
• Doe Mill Road at Butte Creek Forks Recreation Area

How To Help

The Butte County Office of Education has established a 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.

Donations can be dropped off at the Oroville Municipal Auditorium at 1200 Myers St. in Oroville.

Items requested include:

• Visa giftcards
• Warm clothes (new clothes only)
• Shoes (sizes 10-11 for men and 8-9 for women, preferably new)
• Paper products (toilet paper, forks, spoons, paper plates, paper towels)
• Women's undergarments

Volunteering

Clothing and supplies can be picked up at the Hope Center at 1950 Kitrick Ave., Suite A, in Oroville.

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 has offered food assistance and other support for people affected by the Camp Fire. Since Thursday, Nov. 8, nearly 13,000 meals have been served to evacuees and first responders from all of the feeding sites:

Chico

• Bidwell Junior High School, 2376 North Ave.
• Neighborhood Church of Chico, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd.
• Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 13539 Garner Lane

Oroville

• Butte College, 3536 Butte Campus Drive
• Oroville Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Ave.

Other Sites

• Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 E. Hazel St., Gridley
• Glenn County Fairgrounds, 221 E. Yolo St., Orland
• Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Franklin Ave., Yuba City

Previous Coverage:

• Camp Fire: Death Toll Climbs To 29, Erratic Winds To Continue
• Camp Fire: 23 Dead, No Imminent Threat To Oroville
• Camp Fire: 9 Dead, 6,700 Structures Destroyed In Butte County
• Camp Fire Rages In Butte County, Prompts Evacuations

Also See:

• Camp Fire Survivor Says 'Paradise May Just Be Memory'
• Officers Lose Homes In Camp Fire While Helping Evacuees
• Fund Started To Help Firefighter Who Lost Home
• CA Wildfires: Heartbreaking Photos Of Ravaged Paradise, Malibu
• Camp Fire: List Of Properties Destroyed In Paradise Released
• How To Help Victims Of California Wildfires
• Bay Area Firefighters Respond To Deadly, Destructive Camp Fire
• Smoke Delays Flights At SFO
• Wildfire Smoke Extends Winter Spare The Air Alert Through Friday
• 49ers To Help Fire Victims With Raffle Match
• 'It's Something' Says Camp Fire Victim After Finding Wedding Ring

Photo: The Camp Fire burns in the hills on Nov. 11, 2018 near Oroville, California. Fueled by high winds and low humidity the Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise charring over 105,000 acres, killed 23 people and has destroyed over 6,700 homes and businesses. The fire is currently at 25 percent containment. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)