BFF-33 California fire death toll rises to 83

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BFF-33

US-FIRE

California fire death toll rises to 83

LOS ANGELES, Nov 22, 2018 (BSS/) – The death toll from the wildfire in
northern California rose to 83 Wednesday after crews found two more sets of
remains in burned-out buildings, officials said.

The number of people listed as unaccounted for in the deadliest and most
destructive fire in state history dropped from 870 to 563.

This number has been fluctuating wildly amid the confusion of the search
for bodies in the town of Paradise, which was largely destroyed by the
flames. The figure peaked Saturday at 1,276.

Another three people died in a second major blaze that struck Malibu in
southern California.

In the north, the so-called Camp Fire has scorched 153,000 acres of land
and destroyed more than 13,500 homes. It started on November 8 and is now 85
percent contained.

Crews are preparing to deal with heavy rain forecast for the rest of the
week, which will help put out the fire but raises the prospect of flash
floods and could wash away human remains.

It started raining in the burn area Wednesday night.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said crews will not take off for Thursday’s
Thanksgiving holiday.

Some crews could be kept away if mudslides threaten the burn area.

“But I can assure you that we are going to continue to push forward because
this is important work that we’re doing,” Honea said.

BSS/AFP/MSY/1414 hrs