BUTTE COUNTY, CA – The death toll continues to climb in the Camp Fire in Northern California, the deadliest wildfire in state history.
Officials said they discovered the remains of seven more people on Thursday, Nov. 15, bringing the death toll to 63. Three victims were found in Magalia, three were found in Paradise, and one was found in Concow in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Butte County.
Of the 63 victims, authorities have tentatively identified 53, Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said. Officials were waiting on DNA confirmation.
Honea said 631 people remained missing or unaccounted for in and around the small town of Paradise, which is east of the city of Chico and popular with retirees. (Click here to see the Camp Fire Missing Persons List.)
“This is still an emergency situation,” Honea said. “This is still an evolving situation.”
Honea said 287 additional search and rescue personnel have joined the search for human remains. A total of 461 people, including California National Guard troops, were part of the search and rescue effort.
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.
The Camp Fire has also become the most destructive fire in state history, with nearly 12,000 structures destroyed, most of them homes.
The fire has scorched 141,000 acres, destroyed 11,862 structures and damaged 270 structures. Another 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. 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 40 percent contained as of Thursday evening.
Roughly 52,000 people have been evacuated, with 1,385 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.)
Also see: Officer-Involved Shooting Reported In Camp Fire Evacuation Zone
County health officials confirmed reports of a norovirus outbreak at the Neighborhood Church of Chico, one of the shelters opened to house evacuees.
“Norovirus is not uncommon, especially this time of year, and it’s especially not uncommon for a shelter situation where you have hundreds of people living in very close quarters,” Butte County public health spokeswoman Lisa Almaguer said.
Lab tests confirmed the virus, Almaguer said, and people who were sick have been quarantined at the shelter in Chico, but in an area separate from healthy evacuees.
Also see: 6 Alleged Camp Fire Looters Arrested In Butte County
Thousands of firefighters from across California and other states have helped attack the flames from the ground and by air. A total of 5,473 firefighters were assigned to battle the blaze Wednesday, including 620 engines, 105 dozers, 101 hand crews, 75 water tenders and 24 helicopters, according to Cal Fire.
Three firefighters have suffered injuries in the fire.
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 Thursday, Nov. 15:
Evacuation Orders
Evacuation orders have been established for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley:
Click here for an online, interactive map of the evacuation zone.
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:
Click Here: COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 2019
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 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.
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