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-46211514
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
California wildfires: Town of Paradise will need 'total rebuild' | California wildfires: Town of Paradise will need 'total rebuild' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
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. | 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. |
Brock Long, administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the damage to Paradise was "one of the worst disasters" he had ever seen. | Brock Long, administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the damage to Paradise was "one of the worst disasters" he had ever seen. |
So far 56 people have been found dead in the Camp Fire that hit the town, but 130 more remain missing. | So far 56 people have been found dead in the Camp Fire that hit the town, but 130 more remain missing. |
About 9,400 firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the state. | About 9,400 firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the state. |
At a news briefing on Thursday, the director of California's fire service said "firefighters are making good progress" to contain the blazes, even as new fires continue to pop up. | |
"We continue to engage in the fire fight. We continue to keep our eye on the ball," Chief Ken Pimlott said. | |
He added that over 242,000 acres have burned across the state so far and nearly 11,000 buildings have been destroyed. | |
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he would be visiting California to survey the damage from the wildfires. | |
Mr Trump has previously blamed California forestry officials for the fire, saying that it was caused by their "mismanagement". | |
What is the latest on the Camp Fire? | What is the latest on the Camp Fire? |
On Wednesday, rescuers found the remains of eight more victims - all in and around Paradise. | On Wednesday, rescuers found the remains of eight more victims - all in and around Paradise. |
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 145,000 acres (56,600 ha) - until the end of the month. | They do not expect to fully contain the blaze - which has razed 145,000 acres (56,600 ha) - until the end of the month. |
Butte County officials have released a list of 103 people they believe are still missing - most of whom are elderly. | Butte County officials have released a list of 103 people they believe are still missing - most 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. | So far 7,600 residences are known to have been destroyed by the fire, as well as hundreds of commercial properties. |
Governor Brown, who was touring the area on Wednesday, described it as looking like a "war zone". | Governor Brown, who was touring the area on Wednesday, described it as looking like a "war zone". |
"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. | "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. |
Military troops are assisting forensics teams and cadaver dogs as they continue to search for human remains. | Military troops are assisting forensics teams and cadaver dogs as they continue to search for human remains. |
Officials have warned the search operation could take weeks. | Officials have warned the search operation could take weeks. |
What about the other fires? | What about the other fires? |
A number of fires continue to burn and officials at Thursday's press conference warned the risk of more is far from over. | |
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, who has been touring the damage called it "unsustainable" for such fires to become a yearly occurrence. | |
"We're a great nation, this not a Republican Democrat issue, this is an American and we should address it as such." | |
Governor Jerry Brown said the solution will involve addressing climate change. | |
"We have to get on the side of nature, not just fight it," said the Democratic governor. | |
Meanwhile, officials 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 59 people are now known to have died across the state. | Officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that a third victim from that fire had been discovered - meaning 59 people are now known to have died across the state. |
The Woolsey Fire is still burning across more than 98,000 acres but is 57% contained, the state fire service tweeted. | The Woolsey Fire is still burning across more than 98,000 acres but is 57% 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. | 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. Police have lifted evacuation orders for residents of Lake Sherwood and Hidden Valley. | The smaller Hill Fire, is 94% contained in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles. Police have lifted evacuation orders for residents of Lake Sherwood and Hidden Valley. |
A new wind-driven fire began menacing San Bernardino County homes on Tuesday - but that has been being largely contained by local officials. | 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? | Why are the fires burning? |
Officials have not yet confirmed what started any of the blazes. | Officials have not yet confirmed what started any of the blazes. |
Several people have already filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric, causing their stock price to plunge by over 31% which amounts to market value of about $16bn. | |
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. |
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. | 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. | "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. |
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 below | Or use the form below |