California wildfires - live: Firefighters tackle new Woolsey blaze as deadly Camp Fire spreads
Around 230 still missing in Camp Fire in what was already most destructive on state's record in terms of property damage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 42 people have died in a fierce wildfire which largely incinerated the town of Paradise in northern California, the largest loss of life from such a blaze in state history.
The latest death toll, was announced by Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea at an evening news conference in the city of Chico after authorities found the bodies of 13 more victims of the devastating blaze dubbed the Camp Fire.
The fire already ranked as the most destructive on record in California in terms of property loss, having consumed more than 7,100 homes and other structures since it ignited on Thursday.
Southern California's huge Woolsey wildfire - which has killed at least two people - roared to life again Tuesday in a mountain wilderness area even as many neighbourhoods were reopened to thousands of residents who fled its advance last week.
Follow the latest updates
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
At least 19 states have now sent assistance for California to help deal with the wildfires - including states like Indiana, Tennessee and Georgia.
In Malibu, Santa Ana winds are returning to the area and leaving hundreds of homes in ashes while firefighters struggle to contain the fire that has run through scenic canyons and destroyed celebrity homes near the coast.
Fire crews were able to bring the Woolsey blaze to 30 per cent containment, but remaining embers smoldering in the area run the risk fo sparking further devastation, according to officials.
So far, at least 435 buildings have been burned, and most of those have been homes.
Cal Fire has released its latest update on the fires in California, saying that evacuations are still in place for dozens of areas as fire fighters work to contain blazes that have become the deadliest the state has ever seen.
The Camp Fire now engulfs roughly 125,000 acres, and is 30 per cent contained — and it is expected to be fully contained by the 30 November. So far, 6,522 homes have been destroyed by that fire and 15,500 are threatened.
The Hill Fire spans 4,361 acres and is 90 per cent contained. The Woolsey Fire spans 96,314 acres, and is 35 per cent contained by fire fighters.
Fighting these fires in California is more than just a single state's problems — many others are pitching in to help out in a variety of ways.
That's according to the following tweet from Cal FIre, which tweeted out thanks alongside a map that shows virtually every state in the western United States has become involved in the effort in some way or another.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued red flag warnings in parts of the city, and will remove vehicles parked in those zones in order to facilitate response to fires in the area.
The warnings were re-instated on Tuesday morning, and announced on Mayor Eric Garcetti's Twitter account.
The damage from the Camp Fire is still being evaluated, but initial data visualisations from Cal Fire show that a large swath of Paradise has been totally wiped out.
Here is a map of the area with the latest data from inspectors on the ground. Red indicates that structures have been damaged 50 per cent or more, which is considered destroyed by the agency. The green indicates that structures were affected, but that designation is the least severe designation.
The latest Camp Fire Structure Status from the Cal Fire website. The red covers virtually all of the town of Paradise.
In the midst of tragedy, Californians are still coming together in the name of sport.
The high school football team from Paradise, California — which has been destroyed by the Camp Fire in Butte County — was invited to attend a San Francisco 49ers game against the New York Giants on Monday, and were on the field alongside the school's cheerleaders during the national anthem.
CBS San Francisco reports that the Air Quality Index (AQI) at the time of kickoff was compromised at the time of kickoff, clocking in at the unhealthy level of 161 because of the nearby wildfires. The stadium smelled of smoke.
The NFL monitored the air quality during the game for safety, but the levels never rose to 200 — which would have forced the game to move.
Fire officials have estimated that at at least 80 per cent of the town of Paradise - population 27,000 - has been destroyed.
Winds that have helped drive the destructive Camp Fire are decreasing according to the national Weather Service - but dry conditions will still pose a problem.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments