29 Confirmed Dead As Camp Fire Rages In Butte County

Officials in Butte County released another grim statistic in a wildfire that is achieving heartbreaking records: 29 people have died in and around Paradise, matching the deadliest wildfire in state history. At last word the camp fire is 113,000 acres with 25% containment. 6,453 homes have been destroyed, as well and 260 businesses. Ten search teams have been working the area and authorities called in a DNA lab and teams of anthropologists to help identify victims. The sheriff’s office reminds anyone seeking information about a missing person to check safeandwell.org. 228 people remain unaccounted for as whipping winds and tinder-dry conditions threaten more areas through the rest of the week. The Camp Fire started around 6:30AM Thursday morning east of Paradise along Highway 70. The first day was horrific for residents of the Paradise area who had to literally run for their lives. The cause has not been determined, but already some people are pointing fingers at PG&E, whose lines have sparked many of California’s most destructive fires in the last few years. At this point there’s been no official word on the cause. For some, the scope of the devastation was starting to set in. Public safety officials toured the Paradise area to begin discussing the recovery process. Much of what makes the city function is gone.

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