The number of people missing after California's Camp Fire has dropped to 24 from more than 3,100

Charred cars on a road in Paradise, California.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

published 3 December 2018

On Sunday, the Butte County Sheriff's Office in Northern California reported that 24 people are still missing after the deadly Camp Fire, as people who fled the fire have continued checking in and 15 Red Cross volunteers have tracked others down. Initially, friends and relatives reported more than 3,100 people missing after the blaze tore through the town of Paradise and other parts of the county.

The official death toll from the fire stands a 88 people, making it the deadliest wildfire in California history; 42 of the victims have been tentatively identified while 41 have been positively identified. The Camp Fire, which started Nov. 8 and was fully contained Nov. 25, also destroyed more than 18,000 structures and burned 153,336 acres.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.