California’s “Camp Fire” death toll jumps to 48 as thousands of firefighters battle blazes

Author: CBS News
Published:
Photo via Associated Press

The “Camp Fire” in Northern California has scorched some 130,000 acres and is 35 percent contained, according to officials Tuesday night. In addition, the “Camp Fire” death toll has now reached 48. Statewide there are a total of 50 deaths.

Some 9,000 firefighters have been battling the wildfires, which have become the deadliest and costliest in state history. Search teams have been using power saws and cadaver dogs to try to locate victims of the “Camp Fire.”

Those who survived have been scrambling to find a place to stay. In Southern California, evacuation orders were lifted for many of the areas affected by the “Woolsey Fire,” but some came home only to be told to leave again.

“It’s terrible,” said Alex Goodwin of Hidden Valley. “We evacuated, thought the danger was done, and then of course came back thinking it was safe … and it’s terrifying.”

  • California wildfires fast facts

    12:45 a.m.: Firefighters are battling three major wildfires in California. Here’s a breakdown by the numbers as of Tuesday night, according to Cal Fire and local officials.

    Camp Fire

    • Location: Butte County
    • 130,000 acres burned
    • 35 percent contained
    • 48 fatalities confirmed, 3 firefighters injured
    • 228 people unaccounted for
    • 8,817 structures destroyed, 7,600 of them homes

    Woolsey Fire

    • Location: Los Angeles County, Ventura County
    • 97,114 acres burned (roughly the size of Denver)
    • 40 percent contained
    • 2 fatalities confirmed, 3 firefighters injured
    • Some 370 structures destroyed, 57,000 in danger

    Hill Fire

    • Location: Ventura County
    • 4,531 acres burned
    • 92 percent contained
  • New blaze breaks out east of L.A.

    A brush fire estimated at 20 to 30 acres was burning near homes in Rialto in San Bernardino County Tuesday night as winds whipped up, reports CBS Los Angeles.

    Crews were using bulldozers to attack the fire and were making progress.

    But Santa Ana winds picked up embers and pushed smoke into the air. Plumes of thick smoke could be seen from miles away.

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