California fire officials give update on Woolsey wildfire
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The total death toll from wildfires across California has risen to 44, after 13 more people were found dead in what is now the deadliest single fire in state history.
The blaze dubbed Camp Fire in northern California has incinerated more than 7,100 homes and businesses - particularly in the town of Paradise. Its death toll exceeds that of the Griffith Park Fire in 1933, the deadliest wildfire on record in California. At least 228 people were still missing, according to Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.
Speaking on CNN, Mr Honea said that while he holds out hope that many people listed as missing will turn up safe, “given what we’ve dealt with so far with casualties as a result of this fire, I have concerns that it [the death toll] will rise”.
Late on Monday, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the state, which will allow it to access more federal funds. Mr Trump said he "wanted to respond quickly", although calls for the declaration have been coming for a number of days.
Hundreds of thousands of evacuation orders have been issued, while countless residents have shared images online of missing loved ones, begging people to help them find displaced relatives and friends.
In southern California, the Woolsey Fire has scorched at least 91,000 acres and destroyed 370 structures. At least two people have died in that fire, and more than 57,000 buildings still at risk.
Red flag warnings - meaning warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger - are in effect for such of Southern California and will be until at least 5pm local time.
Local officials have spoken about the differences for those caught up in the fire now. And why people need to make sure they get out of the path of blazes.
“Maybe 10 or 20 years ago, you stayed in your homes when there was a fire, and you were able to protect them,” Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said. “Things are not the way they were 10 years ago.”
California fire officials are about to hold a press conference providing updates on the latest details surrounding the state's fires raging throughout the north and south. Stay here for live updates.
A sheriff’s county official said evacuations had been lifted in Thousand Oaks, warning returning residents of “hazards” that likely remain in the area.
Los Angeles police department captain Paul Vernon said residents were slowly returning to their homes with the help of first responders, mostly to burned homes. He urged locals to be safe when returning to their communities.
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