California Wildfire: What We Know About the Camp Fire

The massive Camp Fire that exploded near Chico in Butte County on Thursday is now the most destructive wildfire in California history. Officials announced Friday that the Camp Fire, which continues burning, destroyed 6,713 structures as of Friday evening. It has also killed 9 people and dozens remained missing a day after it began.

The blaze reached 90,000 acres by Friday evening — more than twice the size of San Francisco — and was 5 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Here’s what we know right now:

Damage and response

The Camp Fire, given the name because of its proximity to Camp Creek Road near Highway 70 in the Feather River Canyon, started about 6:30 a.m. Thursday and grew to more than 20,000 acres by the end of the night. Wind gusts reached up to 40 tor 50 mph in some areas of Paradise Thursday night. Some 6,713 structures were destroyed: 6,453 homes and 260 commercial buildings. Another 15,000 structures remained threatened by the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

So far, 3,223 fire personnel were battling the blaze, with 440 fire engines, 67 fire crews, 23 helicopters, 67 dozers and 18 water tenders, according to Cal Fire.

The blaze is expected to be fully contained by Nov. 30, Cal Fire said.

Campfire AM Incident Update 11.9.18 #campfire @ButteSheriff @CountyofButte @paradise_ca pic.twitter.com/fRtzamRIn8

— CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_ButteCo) November 9, 2018

Evacuations

A total of 52,000 people remained evacuated as of Friday everning. Most were from Paradise, which is 15 miles east of Chico and 80 miles north of Sacramento, but also from Chico, Pulga, Concow, Magalia, Butte Creek Canyon, Butte Valley, Stirling City and Inskip.

Close to 30,000 people were without power in the area, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Deaths

Officials confirmed that nine people were killed. Four were found in their vehicles in the area of Edgewood Lane in Paradise. A fifth was found outside their vehicle on that road. Another three victims were found outside of homes and one victim was found inside a home. None have been positively identified, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Three firefighters were injured in the blaze.

Officials said dozens of people have been reported missing. The American Red Cross issued an alert for residents to register as “safe and well” on their website.

Donations

Butte County officials ask that anyone wishing to make a monetary donation go to the North Valley Community Foundation website. County officials also said anyone with supplies to donate can deliver them to the Hope Center in Oroville (1950 Kitrick Ave Ste. A). Hours: Saturday are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Needs: warm clothes, shoes, socks, coats (primarily for elderly residents),” according to the county.

Volunteers

Butte County officials said anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact Caring Choices at 530-899-3873 or visit them at 1398 Ridgewood in Chico.

Alerts

An Amber Alert-style message to warn people in and around the community of Paradise did not occur when the Camp Fire broke out early Thursday, officials said. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office instead used an opt-in program to contact about 23,000 people who had signed up to receive emergency notifications or had landline telephones.

Evacuation efforts were “difficult, to say the least,” said Lt. Al Smith, of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Several deputies who ventured into evacuation zones to rescue residents became trapped by the nearly 100-foot flames.

Weather conditions

Strong winds were fueling the fire, Cal Fire officials said. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a red alert and rated rated air quality in the unhealthy range, warning residents to limit their time outdoors, keep windows closed and stay hydrated.

The Red Flag Warning throughout the Bay Area ended at 7 a.m. Friday. But another Red Flag Warning was issued for Saturday evening through Monday due to low humidity and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @SarRavani

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