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About 21 million people are under the red flag of Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, said CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen.
The area was ravaged by the Woolsey Fire, which burned over 100,000 hectares and destroyed 435 structures. But Tuesday, hurricane force gusts, which will rise to 74mph or more, will hit canyons and snow crests, fueling an already catastrophic fire, Hennen said.
"One-digit moisture and very dry vegetation will create explosive fire growth potential," he said.
Up to now, two people have died as a result of the Woolsey Fire – in Malibu.
But the tragedy is even worse in northern California, where the camp's fire left 42 dead. It's now the deadliest and most destructive forest fire of the state's recorded history.
Families return to virtually nothing
While the camp's fire is raging out of control, some residents are returning to what's left of their empty homes.
Justin Bartek lost his childhood home in paradise, where his father still lived. His sister's house was also burned down.
Bartek is said to be particularly concerned about his father, who is retired.
"His world is half overthrown," Bartek said Tuesday. "My mother's ashes have been left at home, it's hard to handle as well."
Paradise resident, Nichole Jolly, said she thought her life was over when the flames surrounded her car, filling it with smoke. Then she called her husband, who urged her to run, she said.
"If you're going to die, die fighting," she said, remembering her words.
Outside the vehicle, ashes and embers burned her eyes and darkened her vision, she said. She felt until she reached a fire truck hot to the touch. The firefighters took her inside, but they were also trapped, she said, until a bulldozer passed and opened the way. to security.
Latest developments in figures
• campfire: More than 52,000 people have been evacuated and 1,385 are in shelters due to the camp's fire. It burned more than 117,000 acres in Northern California and destroyed more than 7,000 buildings, including 6,453 single-family homes. As of Monday night, it was about 30% content.
• Woolsey Fire: In Southern California, 57,000 structures are threatened by the Woolsey Fire. As of Monday, it was about 30% content.
• hill fire: Another fire in southern California, Hill Fire burned 4,531 acres and was controlled 85% Monday night.
The causes of the fires are still unclear
California's regulators are investigating two utility companies that reported incidents that occurred shortly before fires began in the camp and in Woolsey.
Both utilities state to cooperate with state investigators.
SoCal Edison said "at the moment, we have no indication from the fire department staff that SCE utility facilities may have been involved in the beginning of the fire."
"This is not a safe environment"
Up to now, 42 bodies have been found in homes and vehicles inside or near Paradise.
The Butte County Sheriff's Office identified three of the victims: Ernest Foss, 65, from Paradise; Jesus Fernandez, 48, from Concow; and Carl Wiley, 77, from Magalia.
In Southern California, officials said that two deaths in Malibu were related to the Woolsey fire, bringing to 44 the death toll across the state.
Butte County Sheriff and Coroner Kory L. Honea said his office was providing additional resources to expedite the identification and processing of human remains, including 13 coroner's recovery teams, 150 search and rescue, corpses dogs, two units of a fast DNA system.
California Highway Patrol Chief Brent Newman has asked the public to be patient as the teams clear the affected areas. As part of these efforts, CHP teams removed 60 abandoned cars and set up barriers around hazardous areas. He urged people who tried to cross them to be able to go home to be patient.
"It's not a safe environment," he said.
Residents moved endlessly in sight
More than 300,000 people were forced to leave their homes throughout the state. The majority of these residents are in Los Angeles County, where 170,000 people have been evacuated.
Cal Fire, the state's fire protection agency, tweeted a map showing all the states from which firefighters, including Alaska, Indiana, came from. and Georgia.
"CAL Fire wants to recognize the many external partners who have united to fight these fires," said the agency.
CNN's Dan Simon in Paradise and CNN's Emanuella Grinberg, Stella Chan, Hollie Silverman, Jamiel Lynch and Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this report.
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