Wildfire in northern California has led to at least 5 deaths, officials confirm
At least five people have been killed in the Camp Fire rapidly spreading through northern California, Butte County officials confirmed to The Washington Post on Friday.
As residents of Paradise, California, attempted to flee the wildfire, several were overcome by flames while in their vehicles. Other fatalities have not been confirmed because "the fire is still active," officials said. The Camp Fire, one of three fires burning through the state, quadrupled in size overnight and wiped out all of Paradise, a 27,000-person town. The town was evacuated, though several residents reported there was very little time before the blaze overtook the area, and many abandoned their vehicles as traffic blocked the road out of town. Even without traffic, flames surrounding roads made for treacherous evacuations.
"We know that there have been injuries, and we know that there has been loss of life," said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services. He called the destruction "unbelievable" and "heartbreaking." Crowded evacuation routes had Lt. Al Smith of the Butte County Sheriff's Office concerned that remaining residents and emergency responders would have trouble escaping. "I can't think of an area that's safe right now," he told the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday. Read more at The Washington Post.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 19, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - junk food, health drinks, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published