Camp Fire: Deadliest, Most Destructive Wildfire In CA History

BUTTE COUNTY, CA – The death toll has continued to rise in the Camp Fire in Northern California, which has become the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history. The fast-moving, wind-whipped inferno decimated the town of Paradise in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Butte County.

Officials on Monday, Nov. 12, said they discovered the remains of 13 additional people. The remains of six more people were found on Tuesday, Nov. 13, bringing the death toll to 48.

Ten of the 13 victims found on Monday were discovered in Paradise. The remaining three were found in the unincorporated community of Concow. The six victims found on Tuesday were all discovered within homes in Paradise.

Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea has said more than 200 people remain missing in and around the small town, which is east of the city of Chico and popular with retirees.

"This is an unprecedented event," Honea said at a news conference Monday evening. "If you've been up there, you also know the magnitude of the scene that we're dealing with.

"I want to recover as many remains as we possibly can, as soon as we possibly can, because I understand the toll it takes on people not knowing what became of their loved ones."

Officials also released the names of three people who were killed in the fire.

The victims were identified as Ernest Foss, 65, of Paradise; Jesus Fernandez, 48, of Concow; and Carl Wiley, 77, of Magalia. Honea said one other person had been identified, but officials withheld the name pending notification of next of kin.

The Camp Fire has also become the most destructive fire in California history, with thousands of structures destroyed, most of them homes.

The fire has scorched 130,000 acres and destroyed 7,600 single-family homes, 95 multi-family homes, 260 businesses and 859 minor structures. Another 15,500 structures remain threatened, according to Cal Fire.

"We are, as a town, committed to rebuilding," said Jim Broshears, Paradise's emergency operations coordinator and former fire chief. "For those of us that did not lose our lives, we are considering ourselves survivors.

"We will come back from the ashes. We are fully committed to building a new Paradise."

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, 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.

The fire was considered 35 percent contained as of Tuesday evening.

Thousands of firefighters from across California and other states have helped attack the flames from the ground and by air. A total of 5,615 firefighters battled the blaze Tuesday, including 630 engines, 105 dozers, 99 hand crews, 74 water tenders and 23 helicopters, according to Cal Fire.

Three firefighters have suffered injuries in the fire.

Roughly 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 97,114 acres burned and an estimated 435 structures destroyed. Another fire in Ventura County, called the Hill Fire, scorched 4,531 acres and destroyed two structures.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday he secured 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 latest declaration will help people in the impacted counties with crisis counseling, housing and unemployment assistance and legal services. It will also provide public assistance to help state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery.

The State Operations Center in Mather, California, was also activated and coordinating with other local, state and federal emergency response officials to address emergency management needs.

"We have a real challenge here, threatening our whole way of life," Brown said. "It is a time of sadness, but also one to reflect on where we are and resolve to pull together and do everything we can to help those in need."

Residents and business owners impacted by the fires can now apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

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

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)
• Plumas County Fairgrounds at 204 Fairground Road in Quincy (OPEN)
• Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds at 442 Franklin Ave. in Yuba City (OPEN)
• Glenn County Fairgrounds at 221 E. Yolo St. in Orland (FULL)
• 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
• 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
• East 20th at Dawncrest Drive
• Picholine at Sevillano Court

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.

Donated items can be dropped off at 2850 Feather River Blvd. in Oroville. This location has asked for new clothes only.

Supplies

Clothing, pet goods and other supplies were available at the Oroville Municipal Auditorium at 1200 Myers St. in Oroville. Items can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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 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

The Salvation Army also opened a distribution center Tuesday 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:

• Underwear/socks
• Blankets/pillows
• Hygiene items
• Cleaning supplies
• Diaper/baby wipes
• Non-perishable foods
• Frozen turkeys
• New toys for Christmas

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.

Previous Coverage:

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

• California Fires Latest: 44 Deaths; Search For Bodies Continues
• Camp Fire: List Of Properties Destroyed In Paradise Released
• Camp Fire Survivor Says 'Paradise May Just Be Memory'
• 'It's Something' Says Camp Fire Victim After Finding Wedding Ring
• Officers Lose Homes In Camp Fire While Helping Evacuees
• Fund Started To Help Firefighter Who Lost Home In Camp Fire
• How To Help Victims Of California Wildfires
• Facebook To Match $500,000 In Donations For Wildfire Relief
• Bay Area Firefighters Respond To Deadly, Destructive Camp Fire