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As it happenedended

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

Clark Mindock
New York
,Samuel Osborne,Sarah Harvard
Tuesday 13 November 2018 18:30 EST
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California wildfires: Paradise resident films escape from blaze

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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.

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Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth lost their home in a deadly California wildfire, they are donating $500,000 to The Malibu Foundation through Cyrus' charity, The Happy Hippie Foundation.  

A Cyrus representative told the Associated Press that the couple's "community and state are very special to them and they want to give back to the place that has created so many beautiful memories for themselves and others."  

Cyrus and Hemsworth's home was in Malibu. The statement says they "are very grateful to be safe along with their animals." 

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 19:07

The Woolsey fire has now hit 96,314 acres or 150 square miles, according to local police 

The number of structures destroyed is currently 435, but that is expected to increase "dramatically".

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 19:20

US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke says he's cancelled a planned trip to Asia at the direction of the White House and will instead travel to California to support efforts to contain the deadly wildfires scorching large areas of the state.  

Mr Zinke said Tuesday he will visit the Northern California Camp Fire that wiped out the town of Paradise and killed 42 people. He will travel later to Southern California, where the Woolsey Fire is burning.

Mr Zinke said he plans to meet with California Gov. Jerry Brown to offer the administration's support. 

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 19:35

Authorities have identified only a fraction of the dozens of victims of a wildfire that has decimated a Northern California town.  

Jesus Fernandez, a 48-year-old Concow resident nicknamed "Zeus," and his beloved dog "King" had been missing since the fire broke out Thursday.  

Family friend Myrna Pascua told The Sacramento Bee that Fernandez's son was informed that his father was found pinned between two cars. 

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 19:48

Authorities say risk from the Woolsey Fire has dropped significantly, with people going home to many areas that were evacuated when the blaze broke out last Thursday.

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 20:02

However the potential for rain next week has raised the issue of possible mudslides in some areas ravaged by the fire.

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 20:17

The Camp Fire continues to rage in Butte County, about 175 miles (280 km) north of San Francisco, and has expanded to 125,000 acres (50,500 hectares), more than four times the area of the city, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 20:29

Back at the White House and ahead of a Diwali ceremony Mr Trump has spoken about the California wild fires.

"We mourn the lives of those lost and pray for the victims and there are more victims there anyone would ever think possible.

"I want to thank the firefights, FEMA and the first responders for their incredible courage in the face of grave danger”

 

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 20:40

The daughter of one of three named victims from the Northern California wildfire says that her father Ernie Foss Jr was a musician and former San Francisco resident who shared his love of music with others.  

Angela Loo told KTVU-TV that the family is devastated by the death of Mr Foss Jr, one of at least 42 people killed by the fire. 

Chris Stevenson13 November 2018 20:52

A couple of celebrities are taking matters into their own hands. For example, Kanye and Kim Kardashian West reportedly hired a private team of firefighters to prevent damage to their Hidden Hills home. In Calabasas, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters reportedly cooked BBQ for firefighters combatting the Woolsey fire.

Sarah Harvard13 November 2018 20:59

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