Volunteers Comb Through Camp Fire Rubble As Number Of Missing People Climbs To Around 1,000
Over the weekend, the death toll rose to at least 77. Hundreds of search-and-recovery personnel are involved in the effort, going to homes when they receive tips that someone might have died there.
The Associated Press:
Latest: Sheriff: List Of Missing After Fire Drops To 1,000
A Northern California sheriff says the list of names of those unaccounted for after a deadly wildfire has dropped to around 1,000. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea says that's about 300 less than what was posted at the start of Sunday. Authorities stressed that many of the people on the list may be safe and unaware they have been reported missing. (11/18)
The Associated Press:
Searchers In California Wildfire Step Up Efforts; 77 Dead
Volunteers in white coveralls, hard hats and masks poked through ash and debris Sunday, searching for the remains of victims of the devastating Northern California wildfire before rains forecast this week complicate their efforts. While the predicted downpours could help tamp down blazes that have killed 77 people so far, they also could wash away telltale fragments of bone, or turn loose, dry ash into a thick paste that would frustrate the search. (Thanawala, 11/18)
East Bay Times:
Camp Fire Death Toll Rises To 76, Those Unaccounted For Nears 1,300
Of the eight additional victims revealed Friday, seven were found in Paradise inside structures and one in Magalia, also inside a structure. Authorities also have released the names of two more fire victims — bringing the total number of officially identified victims to five — Paula Dodge, 70, and Randall Dodge, 68, both Paradise residents. (Salonga, 11/16)
Los Angeles Times:
California Fires: Crews Boost Containment In Deadly Wildfires
By Sunday morning, the blaze was 60% contained. But forecasters expect gusty winds will bring in critical fire weather conditions across portions of the western slopes of the northern Sierra. Officials said smoke from the blaze would continue to bring poor air quality across the region through Tuesday. In Southern California, the Woolsey fire has charred 96,949 acres and destroyed about 1,452 structures. By Sunday night, it was 91% contained and Cal Fire said it expects full containment by Thursday. (Tchekmedyian, Alpert Reyes and Reyes-Velarde, 11/18)
Ventura County Star:
Agencies Agree Woolsey Fire Didn't Impact Santa Susana Field Lab
Several public agencies agree with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control that, based on initial test results, no radiation or hazardous materials were released when the Woolsey Fire burned a portion of the contaminated Santa Susana Field Laboratory last week. Cleanup activists have their doubts. They fear that contaminants may have been released when the fire, which started Nov. 8 near the 2,850-acre field lab in unincorporated hills just southeast of Simi Valley, burned part of the site later that day. (Harris, 11/16)
Capital Public Radio:
Handshakes And Kind Words From Trump, Brown And Newsom, Touring Wildfire Damage
President Donald Trump has toured the damage from the most devastating wildfire in California history with two of his most vocal critics: Gov. Jerry Brown and Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. “Jerry I have been speaking, and Gavin and I have now gotten to know each other,” the president said while touring a trailer park in the town of Paradise that’s been destroyed by the Camp Fire. “We’re all going to work together and we’ll do a real job.” (Adler, 11/17)
Los Angeles Times:
Trying To Get A Handle On California's Deadly Wildfires Has Lawmakers Flummoxed
This was going to be easy, I thought foolishly. Ask some legislators and experts for their ideas on how to control California’s deadly wildfire epidemic. What should state government do about it? But they basically didn’t have a clue. And who could fault them? It’s like asking how you stop hurricanes or tornadoes or earthquakes. It’s all part of nature. You try to prepare. (Skeoton, 11/19)