Number Of Unaccounted People In Camp Fire Spikes To More Than 600
The death toll continued its steady rise as well, climbing to 63. “We have never had anything of this magnitude,” said Wendy Bailey, 58, whose search team had found the remains of two victims the previous day. “I have seen burned bodies before, but never just disintegrated. It’s usually not like this.”
Los Angeles Times:
Paradise Vows To Rebuild Even As Death Toll And Number Of Missing Rises
The number of people unaccounted for soared to 631 — up from 130 on Wednesday evening — after authorities combed through additional 911 calls and other reports generated at the peak of the chaotic evacuation. Honea said that number may include some people who are counted twice or others who may not know they were reported missing. (Tchekmedyian, Santa Cruz and Panzar, 11/15)
San Jose Mercury News:
Camp Fire: 63 Dead, 631 Missing; Second Origin Spot Probed
When the Camp Fire first tore through Butte County, John Pohmajevich stayed put in the small town of Magalia — a place he’s called home for several years now. He knew if he left, there would be no telling when he would be able to return. On Thursday, the San Mateo native surveyed the devastating damage the fire’s left in its wake and recalled the last time he saw something like this: the Loma Prieta earthquake that shook the Bay Area in 1989. (Salonga and DeRuy, 11/15)
The Washington Post:
Camp Fire’s Destruction In Northern California Leaves Rescue Teams Sifting Through Debris For Human Remains
Wendy Bailey, a widow and retired stay-at-home mother, hunched over a charred bathtub, surrounded by ash, looking for any trace of human remains. It was her second day searching for victims of the ferocious wildfire that destroyed this city of about 26,000 residents last week, an effort that authorities say has become the largest search operation in California history. (Craig, 11/15)
San Francisco Chronicle:
After Camp Fire, Cops Patrol A Ruined Paradise: ‘There’s Really No One To Watch Over’
A pink ribbon decorates the town police station. That means the building’s been cleared. So everyone reports to work — all 21 sworn officers — even though there is no community left to serve. After the Camp Fire destroyed much of Paradise, the local cops had hundreds of welfare and property checks to complete. So they were busy until they were done, and then the small force was suddenly thrust into the quiet in-between. There’s not much to do here, not until the victims’ bodies are recovered, the electrical lines repaired and the checkpoints removed from the edge of town. (Johnson, 11/15)
Sacramento Bee:
Trump To Visit California Wildfire Victims; Death Toll Rises
President Donald Trump will visit California on Saturday to visit with individuals affected by California fires. Details on the time and place have yet to be determined, according to a White House press pool report. “The president will travel to California this Saturday to meet with individuals impacted by the wildfires,” said Lindsay Walters, Trump’s deputy press secretary. “We will keep you updated on details as they are available.” (Anderson, 11/15)