Society 11:04 22/11/2018 World

California wildfires death toll climbs to 86, with over 500 still unaccounted for

Hundreds of people remain missing in the wake of a pair of deadly wildfires that have been burning across both ends of California, ABC News reports.

The two monstrous blazes, which both ignited earlier this month, have claimed at least 86 lives while laying waste to a total area of nearly 400 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials said that at least 64 of the remains have been positively identified so far.

The vast majority of the deaths -- 83 in total -- were due to the Camp Fire in Northern California's Butte County, making it the deadliest and most destructive wildland fire in the state's history.

The number of people missing or unaccounted for in Butte County was down to 536 on Wednesday evening, according to Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.

As firefighters make progress in containing the fire and officials continue to account for residents, their concern will soon turn to mudslides that may result from the upcoming rain.

The smoke from the flames descended across the Golden State and choked the air in major cities, including San Francisco. Officials have advised residents in the affected areas to remain indoors and wear a protective mask outside.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for California over the past weekend as humidity dropped and wind gusts were forecast to get up to 40 mph in the Camp Fire zone.

Much-needed rain is expected to finally arrive in the area on Wednesday morning. However, even though that will help fire fighting in the state, there is the potential for mudslides in burn scar areas.

The Camp Fire ignited Nov. 8 near Pulga, a tiny community in Butte County nestled in the Plumas National Forest. The blaze exploded as strong winds fanned the flames southwest, enveloping Paradise, a bucolic community of 27,000 people in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

The fire has virtually decimated the entire town.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Newsfeed

11:53
Protesters gather in central Yerevan
A large number of people gathered in Yerevan's central Republic Square on Friday morning for acts of civil disobedience led...
11:35
Over 31,000 people attended Thursday's mass rally in Yerevan
More than 31,000 people attended a rally held by the Tavush for the Homeland movement in Yerevan’s Republic Square on Thursday evening,...
11:00
Eurovision 2024: Armenia qualifies for Grand Final
Armenia’s Ladaniva has qualified for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 along with Austria, Estonia,...
17:23
In pictures: Marchers led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan reach Yerevan
Members and supporters of the Tavush for the Homeland movement led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Tavush Diocese of the...
17:07
Political analyst slams Armenian government's policy
Political analyst Suren Petrosyan, founder of the For Armenian Statehood Coordination Center, denounced the Armenian government’s policy...
16:38
LIVE: People gather in central Yerevan for big rally
Panorama.am is broadcasting live from Republic Square in central Yerevan. A large group of people have gathered here to join participants of...
16:25
Eurovision 2024: How to vote for Armenia's LADANIVA on May 9
Here’s the list of all the countries that can vote for LADANIVA in the 2nd semi final of Eurovision. LADANIVA’s performance number...
16:18
Public employees in Armenia reportedly warned against joining rallies
Public servants have been reportedly warned that they will risk losing their jobs if they join protests organized by the Tavush for the Homeland...
15:00
Kremlin: Putin, Pashinyan agree to withdraw Russian forces from some Armenian regions
President Vladimir Putin has agreed to withdraw Russian forces and border guards from various parts of Armenia at Yerevan's request,...
14:32
Armenia's NSS urges Tavush movement members to uphold rule of law
Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) calls on members and supporters of the Tavush for the Homeland protest movement to uphold the...
13:58
Robert Kocharyan congratulates Armenians on May 9
Second Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has congratulated Armenians on Victory and Peace Day marked on May 9. “Happy May 9,"...
13:27
Watch live: Tavush for the Homeland movement heading to Yerevan
Members and supporters of the Tavush for the Homeland movement led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan of the Tavush Diocese continued their march...
13:03
Artsakh president visits Yerablur Pantheon in Yerevan
Exiled Artsakh Republic President Samvel Shahramanyan visited Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan to pay tribute to fallen troops on May 9...
12:31
Over two dozen lawyers commit to protecting rights of peaceful protesters in Yerevan
Over two dozen lawyers have committed to protecting the rights of people jointing peaceful protests organized by the Tavush for the Homeland...
11:56
Serzh Sargsyan pays tribute to fallen heroes in Victory Day message
Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan issued a message on Victory and Peace Day marked on 9 May. His full message is provided...
11:49
Eurovision 2024: Armenia's Ladaniva to perform today
The second semi-final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Sweden on Thursday. 16 countries will compete in...
11:32
Armenian Church celebrates Ascension of Jesus Christ
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the 40th day of his resurrection (Easter),...
11:06
Pashinyan, Putin discuss regional issues
A private conversation between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in the Kremlin on...
17:00
Rainy weather persists in Armenia
Rains and thunderstorms coupled with strong winds will persist in Armenia’s regions in the next few days. Hail is also possible in...
16:45
Kremlin: EAEU membership of benefit to Armenia, other countries
The participation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) provides a notable addition to GDP growth of its members, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry...
16:36
Marchers led by Tavush religious leader to reach Yerevan on Thursday morning
Political analyst Abraham Gasparyan, founding director of the Genesis Armenia think tank, and Hayakve initiative coordinator Avetik Chalabyan...
16:15
In pictures: People led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan march to Yerevan
The protest march from Tavush Province to Yerevan led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic...
15:30
Students in Yerevan express support for protest march
Students from Yerevan State University gathered outside the Armenian parliament building in Yerevan on Wednesday to express support for the...
14:46
Pashinyan arrives in Russia on working visit
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Russia on a working visit on Wednesday, his press office reported.  "The...
14:36
Armenian government allocates over 1 bln drams for subvention schemes
The Armenian government on Wednesday decided to allocate over 1.1 billion drams for the implementation of 21 subvention schemes in 16...
14:01
Kremlin says Putin-Pashinyan talks 'necessary and expected'
The upcoming talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which are to be held today in the...
13:42
First Eurovision 2024 semifinal sends 10 countries to Grand Final
10 countries have triumphed in the first semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, when 16 countries competed to...
13:25
Wreath laid at Yerablur on Serzh Sargsyan's behalf
Today, a wreath was laid at the Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan on behalf of third Armenian President and...
13:05
Nationwide rally to be held in Yerevan on Thursday
The Tavush for the Homeland protest movement has announced a nationwide rally in Yerevan’s central Republic Square on Thursday 9 May....
12:35
Brazil floods death toll rises to 95
Teams in flood-ravaged southern Brazil scrambled Tuesday to deliver humanitarian aid to Porto Alegre and other inundated municipalities, where...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}