A series of three massive wildfires in Northern and Southern California have claimedat least 42 lives so far, making it the deadliest wildland fire in the state’s history, the Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced on Monday night.
Among the 42 people who have died, authorities confirmed the names of three victims to PEOPLE — Ernest Foss, 65, of Paradise; Jesus Fernandez, 48, of Concow; and Carl Wiley, 77, of Magalia.
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Foss, a musician, is a former resident of San Francisco who relocated to Paradise nearly a decade ago,NBCreported. According to hissocial media page, Foss was a two-time cancer survivor and had physical disabilities which left him bed-bound. His body was found outside his home, according to the news station.
During Monday night’s press conference, Sheriff Honea announced that 13 coroner agencies have been recruited to help with the search for human remains. Three anthropology search teams have already been deployed to the area and, on Tuesday, 150 search and rescue personnel will be on hand to offer their assistance.
Ernie Foss Jr./Facebook
As they increase their efforts to find and identify victims, Sheriff Honea said they will also be bringing in human remains detector dogs, also known as cadaver dogs, and veterinarian support teams to keep the canines safe among the devastation.
The Camp Fire is one of three devastating California wildfires — the other two, the Woolsey and Hill fires, are located in Los Angeles — that have forced over a quarter of a million people, who were in harm’s way, to evacuate from their homes, some of which were destroyed in the blazes.
Sadly, the death toll may continue to rise, as at least228 people are still missing, according to Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.
So far, the Camp Fire has destroyed 6,435 homes and 260 commercial structures in the county,Good Morning Americareported.
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“This is truly a tragedy that all Californians can understand and respond to,” Gov. Jerry Brown said during a press briefing on Monday. “It’s a time to pull together and work through these tragedies.”
During the press conference, Brown, who will be ending his term as governor in January, seemed to address awidely criticized tweetfrom President Donald Trump over the weekend that blamed the series of wildfires on “poor” forest management. Brown, instead, pointed to climate change as a reason the state has seen such an influx of fires in recent years.
“Those who deny [climate change] are definitely contributing to the tragedies that we’re now witnessing,” Brown added, “and will continue to witness in the coming years.”
To help victims of the California wildfires, visit theLos Angeles Fire Department Foundation, theCalifornia Fire Foundationand theAmerican Red Cross, for more information.
source: people.com
