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By Phil Helsel and Bita Ryan
Researchers who searched the ruins of the deadliest fire in California's history found eight more bodies Friday, bringing to 71 the number of deaths in the camp's fire, while more than 1,000 people are still missing.
Seven of the eight bodies were found in the city of Paradise, which was virtually destroyed by the fire that broke out on November 8, and the other in Magalia, north of Paradise, was said Butte County Sheriff-Coroner Kory L. Honea. . All were found inside structures.
Honea warned that the number of unaccounted for – 1,011 Friday night – could include duplicate names or whose spelling varies, and that investigators were looking to check them out.
"I can not let perfection hinder progress," Honea said. "It's important for us to disseminate information so we can identify those people who are not counted."
The increase in the number of deaths in the camp fire in Butte County, north of Sacramento, has brought to at least 74 deaths in two forest fires in the state. Three deaths were reported in the Woolsey fire near Los Angeles.
The camp's fire displaced thousands of people and resulted in the evacuation of some 52,000 people at the height of the fire. About 47,200 people remained evacuated Friday, officials said. The fire burned 146,000 acres and was controlled to 50% on Friday.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire, the camp fire is considered to be the most destructive forest fire of the year. State history, eclipsing the fire of 2017, which destroyed 5,636 structures.
It's also the most deadly. The 1933 fire at Griffith Park killed 29 people.
The campfire was one of two major wildfires that were burning at opposite ends of the state. The Woolsey fire, which also broke out on the same day, burned more than 98,000 hectares and destroyed at least 713 homes and other structures, officials said. It was 78% content Friday. He had issued evacuation orders targeting more than 200,000 people.
The campfire destroyed at least 9,700 single-family dwellings, 144 multi-family dwellings and 336 commercial buildings, according to Cal Fire.
Some of the displaced people fled to a Walmart in Chico, west of paradise.
Peggy Alldrin, who has lived in Chico for nearly 60 years, said she considered paradise as "my back door" and went to Walmart to distribute blankets and gift cards to evacuees .
"Seeing this is devastating … Looking at this on the news, how can you stay at home?" she says.
Brenda Rockwell, who has lived in Chico for 30 years and grew up in heaven, serves 300 to 500 cups of coffee a day to those seeking refuge.
"I thought, if they're like me, coffee starts your day, they're like everyone else," she said. "You know what, there are kids – cocoa, coffee, it's a way to get them started, keep them warm during the day."
Officials warned that the winds in the campfire area are expected to blow this weekend and could fuel the ever-burning fire. Alex Hoon of the National Meteorological Service said the red flag warnings issued for "critical fire weather conditions" would be in effect from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit California on Saturday, where he will meet people affected by forest fires, the White House announced. The president signed a declaration of major disaster and emergency, which provides federal assistance.
Another fire, the hill fire that erupted in Ventura County on the afternoon of November 8, burned over 4,500 acres and destroyed four structures, is under 100% control.
Firefighters m said all possible causes other than human activity were excluded from the fire and the authorities announced a reward of $ 10,000 for information intended for anyone responsible for forest fires.
The hill fire provoked evacuation orders for about 1,200 people who raged last week, said Cal Fire.
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