California wildfires: Camp Fire kills 42 to become deadliest in state history as Trump approves major disaster declaration
Fires across state have killed 44 in total with hundreds still missing
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
You can find our latest report on the California wildfires here. For more on how the events of Monday unfolded, please see our now-closed live blog, below.
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Here are some details on the strong winds that could drive some of the California wildfires today:
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.”
A briefing on the latest progress against the wildfires is set to take place in 20 minutes.
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.
Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said there have been two new starts within the last hour, noting “the existing fire is not our only concern.”
A fire raging across the Lake Manor region has grown to at least 20 acres with evacuations and destruction expected for the surrounding counties.
A sheriff’s county official said evacuations had been lifted in Thousand Oaks, warning returning residents of “hazards” that likely remain in the area.
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