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National Guard troops help search for Camp Fire victims California wildfires: Town of Paradise will need 'total rebuild'
(about 3 hours later)
National Guard troops are to arrive in northern California to help search for more victims of a wildfire that has killed 48 people. The director of the US emergency agency says a California town ravaged by wildfire will need a "total rebuild" job that will take several years.
On Wednesday, about 100 military police will join teams searching what remains of the town of Paradise after the Camp Fire incinerated it. Brock Long, administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the damage to Paradise was "one of the worst disasters" he had ever seen.
Several victims have filed a lawsuit against an electricity company accused of starting the blaze. So far 48 people have been found dead in the Camp Fire that hit the town, but more than 100 more remain missing.
A new wind-driven fire began menacing San Bernardino County homes on Tuesday. About 9,000 firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the state.
The new brush blaze, dubbed the Sierra Fire, burned close to homes in Rialto and consumed 20 acres in 15 minutes thanks to heavy winds. At a news briefing on Wednesday by officials, the director of California's fire service said "progress is being made" to contain the blazes.
No evacuations have been ordered and Cal Fire reports it is 75% contained. "I want to just reiterate we continue to have a lot of work to do we will continue to be here, we will get this done until the job is over," Ken Pimlott said.
President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the situation by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who are both currently on the ground in California. In a Tweet on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the situation by Mr Long and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who are both currently on the ground in California.
He also offered his support to California Governor Jerry Brown.He also offered his support to California Governor Jerry Brown.
What is the latest on the Camp Fire?
Crews have contained 35% of the Camp Fire in northern California, which has become the deadliest conflagration in state history.Crews have contained 35% of the Camp Fire in northern California, which has become the deadliest conflagration in state history.
They do not expect to fully contain the blaze - which has razed 135,000 acres (54,600 ha) - until the end of the month.They do not expect to fully contain the blaze - which has razed 135,000 acres (54,600 ha) - until the end of the month.
In the ruined town of Paradise in Butte County, National Guard troops will assist forensics teams and cadaver dogs as they continue to search for human remains. Butte County officials have released a list of 103 people they believe are still missing - most of which are elderly.
Dozens of people are still missing. County police have released a list of missing individuals, many of whom are elderly. So far 7,600 residences are known to have been destroyed by the fire, as well as hundreds of commercial properties.
Officials warn that finding human remains could take weeks. Governor Brown, who was touring the area on Wednesday, described it as looking like a "war zone".
Three portable morgue teams have been requested from the US military along with a "disaster mortuary" crew and three groups of forensic anthropologists. "Paradise had done a lot of pre-planning for just this kind of an emergency but the fire of course was unprecedented, overwhelming and so a lot of people got caught," he said.
Many victims in Paradise are believed to have been elderly residents or people with mobility issues who would have found evacuating more difficult. Military troops are assisting forensics teams and cadaver dogs as they continue to search for human remains.
Some victims who lost homes in the Camp Fire on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), alleging the company's negligence caused the fire. Officials have warned the search operation could take weeks.
The company had reported an incident with a power line in the area where the Camp Fire started just minutes before the blaze was spotted, US media say. What about the other fires?
Fire officials have not yet confirmed a cause for the blaze. A number of fires continue to burn and officials at Wednesday's press conference warned the risk of more is far from over.
Mr Pimlott, the director of CalFire, said there remained a "critical" risk of blazes for the next week because of how dry vegetation is.
"Right now we are focused on maintaining the pace and the battle rhythm of this firefight across the state," he said.
He said "good progress" was being made on the Woolsey Fire that has damaged beach resorts, including the rich-and-famous haunt of Malibu.
Officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that a third victim from that fire had been discovered - meaning 51 people are now known to have died across the state.
The Woolsey Fire is still burning across more than 97,000 acres but is 47% contained, the state fire service tweeted.
Some areas affected are now considered safe, and the Los Angeles County police say they will now allow some people back into the city of Calabasas.
The smaller Hill Fire, is 94% contained in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles.
A new wind-driven fire began menacing San Bernardino County homes on Tuesday - but that has been being largely contained by local officials.
Why are the fires burning?
Officials have not yet confirmed what started any of the blazes.
Several people have already filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric.
On Monday, the California Public Utilities Commissions (CPUC) announced investigations into PG&E and another electric company, Southern California Edison (SCE).On Monday, the California Public Utilities Commissions (CPUC) announced investigations into PG&E and another electric company, Southern California Edison (SCE).
SCE had reported issues with transmission lines near the start of the Hill and Woolsey Fires in southern California.SCE had reported issues with transmission lines near the start of the Hill and Woolsey Fires in southern California.
A spokeswoman for CPUC told local media the probes would "assess the compliance of electric facilities with applicable rules and regulations in fire impacted areas".
The Woolsey fire has killed at least two people, bringing the total to 50 lives lost, damaging beach resorts including the rich-and-famous haunt of Malibu.
It is still burning across more than 97,000 acres but is 47% contained, the state fire service tweeted.
Some areas affected are now safe - Los Angeles County police will be allowing some people back into the city of Calabasas as of Wednesday afternoon.
The smaller Hill Fire, is 94% contained in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles.
More on wildfires
Firefighters have been working round the clock, taking advantage of the evening humidity, maintaining containment lines around the Camp Fire and patrolling within the fire area, according to Cal Fire.
At least 7,600 residences have been destroyed in the county along with 1,119 commercial and other structures.
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.
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.
Speaking on Wednesday, Governor Brown said a range of factors were behind worsening fires in the state.
"It's not one thing, its people, it's how people live, its where they live, and it's the changing climate, the drought, the diminishing moisture and the truth is … we're going to have more difficulties," he said.
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.
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