This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46190118

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
California wildfires: At least 42 are killed in deadliest blaze California wildfires: At least 42 are killed in deadliest blaze
(about 3 hours later)
Thirteen more bodies have been recovered in California, bringing the death toll in the US state's deadliest wildfires to 42, officials say. Thirteen more bodies have been recovered in California, bringing the death toll in the US state's deadliest wildfire to 42, officials say.
The remains were found in and around the largely incinerated town of Paradise, in the north of the state.The remains were found in and around the largely incinerated town of Paradise, in the north of the state.
At least 228 people are missing, as the Camp Fire continues to rage. Nearly 7,200 structures have been destroyed, and another 15,500 are at risk.At least 228 people are missing, as the Camp Fire continues to rage. Nearly 7,200 structures have been destroyed, and another 15,500 are at risk.
The fire has now surpassed the 1933 Griffith Park disaster that killed 31.The fire has now surpassed the 1933 Griffith Park disaster that killed 31.
In the south, the Woolsey Fire has claimed two lives as it damaged beach resorts, including Malibu.
An estimated 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes across the state.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday evening, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea confirmed the number of dead, and the official number of missing.Speaking at a news conference on Monday evening, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea confirmed the number of dead, and the official number of missing.
Many more people are said to be unaccounted for.Many more people are said to be unaccounted for.
In the south of the state, other wildfires continue to rage. The Woolsey Fire has so far claimed two lives as it damaged beach resorts, including Malibu.
More than 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes across California.
President Trump has declared a "major disaster" in the state, making federal aid available to affected residents.
How did people die?How did people die?
Some bodies were found in gutted cars that were overrun by the fast-moving blaze. Paradise and its surrounding areas bore the brunt of the Camp Fire - the largest blaze - which started in nearby forest on Thursday.
Paradise and its surrounding area bore the brunt of the inferno, which started in nearby forest on Thursday. Some bodies were found in gutted cars that were overrun by the fast-moving fire, as residents scrambled to evacuate overnight.
"It was very scary," Paradise Mayor Jody Jones told CNN, recounting her family's escape from the town. Sorrell Bobrink, a Paradise resident who managed to drive away with her child, told BBC World Service radio she was first woken up and alerted by a phone call from a friend.
"It took a long time to get out. There was fire on both sides of the car. You could feel the heat coming in through the car," she said. "I had to drive through the fire - it was awful. It was probably the most awful experience I will have in my life," she told the Newsday programme.
Among the victims were also elderly residents with mobility issues or people who decided to stay despite evacuation orders. "It was traumatising, we will be traumatised for a long time. My whole community was traumatised - I can't watch the videos anymore because I actually went through it."
Many of the victims are suspected to be elderly residents or people with mobility issues who would find evacuating more difficult.
Forensic experts are stepping up their search in the ruins of Paradise, but officials warn that finding the bodies could take weeks.Forensic experts are stepping up their search in the ruins of Paradise, but officials warn that finding the bodies could take weeks.
Two mobile army morgues are being brought in to help to identify the dead. Cadaver dogs are being brought in by local police to try and locate the dead, and two mobile army morgues will be used to help identify them.
The fire has burned more than 111,000 acres (45,000 hectares) and is nearly 25% contained, fire officials said.The fire has burned more than 111,000 acres (45,000 hectares) and is nearly 25% contained, fire officials said.
What about further south?What about further south?
The separate Woosley Blaze started on Thursday near Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles (64km) north-west of central Los Angeles.The separate Woosley Blaze started on Thursday near Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles (64km) north-west of central Los Angeles.
It has consumed at least 85,500 acres and destroyed at least 177 buildings, officials said. It is only 10% contained. The smaller Hill Fire, nearby, has scorched 4,530 acres and is 75% contained.It has consumed at least 85,500 acres and destroyed at least 177 buildings, officials said. It is only 10% contained. The smaller Hill Fire, nearby, has scorched 4,530 acres and is 75% contained.
Luxury homes in Malibu and other beach communities are among the properties razed by the flames. Luxury homes in Malibu and other beach communities are among the properties destroyed.
The nearby city of Calabasas, home to well-known celebrities, remains under a mandatory evacuation order.
Why are the fires so bad?Why are the fires so bad?
Historically, California's "wildfire season" started in summer and ran into early autumn. But experts have warned that the risk is now year-round. Historically, California's "wildfire season" started in summer and ran into early autumn, but experts have warned that the risk is now year-round.
The current fires are being blamed on a combination of climate change and weather conditions.The current fires are being blamed on a combination of climate change and weather conditions.
Low humidity, warm Santa Ana winds, and dry ground after a rain-free month have produced a prime fire-spreading environment.Low humidity, warm Santa Ana winds, and dry ground after a rain-free month have produced a prime fire-spreading environment.
The state's 40-million-strong population also helps explain the fires' deadliness. That number is almost double what it was in the 1970s, and people are living closer to at-risk forest areas.The state's 40-million-strong population also helps explain the fires' deadliness. That number is almost double what it was in the 1970s, and people are living closer to at-risk forest areas.
And then there's climate change. Recent years have produced record-breaking temperatures, earlier springs, and less reliable rainfall.And then there's climate change. Recent years have produced record-breaking temperatures, earlier springs, and less reliable rainfall.
Citing the role of a warming climate, Governor Brown declared: "This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal."Citing the role of a warming climate, Governor Brown declared: "This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal."
Musician Neil Young made the same link, writing on his website: "I have lost my home before to a California wildfire, now another." Thousands of firefighters, some from across the US, have been brought in to help battle the blazes.
"We are vulnerable because of climate change; the extreme weather events and our extended drought is part of it."
Have you been affected by the wildfires? If it is safe to do so please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the wildfires? If it is safe to do so please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below