H5N1

Eight more found dead; Camp Fire death toll rises to 71

Via kcra.com: 8 more found dead; Camp Fire death toll rises to 71. Excerpt:

At least 71 people have been killed in a wildfire burning in Butte County, officials said Friday. 

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the bodies of eight people were found since Thursday evening. Of those, seven people were found in Paradise and one person was found in Magalia. 

The Camp Fire is the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. 

The fire had charred 146,000 acres and was 50 percent contained as of Friday evening, Cal Fire said. The blaze ignited around 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 8 in the Camp Creek Road area near Highway 70 in the Feather River Canyon. 

At least 12,263 structures have been destroyed, including 9,844 homes, Cal Fire said. About 15,500 structures are still threatened by the blaze.  

Cal Fire said 47,200 people were forced to evacuate their homes and 1,164 are in evacuation shelters. 

 Those impacted by the Camp Fire are urged to sign up for FEMA disaster assistance online or to call 1-800-621-3362.  

More than 5,600 fire personnel from across the state and nation are battling the blaze. 

There are 1,011 people listed as missing or unaccounted for, Honea said. The Butte County Sheriff's Office is posting a list of the missing people's names. Honea said the list could contain duplicate names and the number of people missing is dynamic.

Camp Fire Friday update: Toll rises, evacuees face hardships

Via the Chico Enterprise-Record: Camp Fire Friday update: Toll rises, evacuees face hardships – Chico Enterprise-Record. Click or tap through for links to more reports, photos, and videos. 

More than a week after the Camp Fire swept through Paradise, Concow and other areas, the startling numbers continue to rise as officials get a better handle on the devastation. 

The latest: 63 dead, 630 listed as missing, 142,000 acres burned, 9,700 homes gone, 230 commercial buildings destroyed and just 45 percent containment. 

All of those numbers have been rising, though the Butte County Sheriff’s Office hopes the number of missing will decrease after releasing a list of people that family and friends cannot find. 

Meanwhile, a norovirus outbreak at shelters is making evacuees sick, and an unofficial evacuation camp that grew in the parking lot at the Chico Walmart is expected to close by Sunday.  

The only shelter still accepting evacuees is at Bidwell Junior High School in Chico. Evacuation centers at Neighborhood Church in Chico, Oroville Nazarene Church and fairgrounds in Gridley, Orland, Quincy and Yuba City are all full, according to Butte County.

Norovirus at several Camp Fire shelters

Via the Chico Enterprise-Record: Norovirus at several Camp Fire shelters. Excerpt:

CHICO — Close quarters make for the easy spread of sickness, which explains a norovirus outbreak at the Camp Fire evacuation centers.  

Lisa Almaguer of Butte County Public Health said as of Thursday morning there were 21 individuals at the Neighborhood Church confirmed with norovirus out of the 179 evacuees at the center. 

Symptoms included fever, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. She said that symptoms have been seen at the other evacuation centers, but the center managers have isolated the individuals, who are being cared for separately by other public nurses.  

Those ill have separate areas for washing hands and using the restroom, with “limited” in and out access. 

“Other shelters have people who are ill. We didn’t wait to confirm through lab tests (what they had). They are in separate parts of the shelters,” she said.  

Thursday morning there were 10 sick of the 352 at the Oroville Nazarene Church; nine of the 142 at the Butte County Fairgrounds; and one of 200 at the East Avenue Church.  

Spreading illness 

Norovirus spreads through touching contaminated surfaces like door handles, food, objects or other people or their body fluids. Just being close to someone physically can spread the virus too, Almaguer said. 

The sickness lasts one to three days, and Almaguer said people are still contagious for two days after symptoms disappear.  

“They should go home, stay home, not run errands, don’t go to work.” 

The virus had been reported in the community before the fire, she said, and this is the time of year normally when it pops up. 

Last year, evacuees from the Oroville Dam spillway crisis wrestled with the condition as well at the fairgrounds.  

Almaguer said there is no medication or treatment to cure the virus. It just has to run its course. Prevention is important. Wash hands with soap and water, and use bleach-based products to clean all areas touched by persons with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  

Almaguer said additional medical staff is being assigned to the shelters, and evacuees are being instructed in how to prevent norovirus.

Fine particle air pollution is a public health emergency hiding in plain sight

In The Conversation, Douglas Brugge and Kevin James Lane write: Fine particle air pollution is a public health emergency hiding in plain sight. Excerpt:

Ambient air pollution is the largest environmental health problem in the United States and in the world more generally. Fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 millionths of a meter, known as PM2.5, was the fifth-leading cause of death in the world in 2015, factoring in approximately 4.1 million global deaths annually. In the United States, PM2.5 contributed to about 88,000 deaths in 2015 – more than diabetes, influenza, kidney disease or suicide. 

Current evidence suggests that PM2.5 alone causes more deaths and illnesses than all other environmental exposures combined. For that reason, one of us (Douglas Brugge) recently wrote a book to try to spread the word to the broader public. 

Developed countries have made progress in reducing particulate air pollution in recent decades, but much remains to be done to further reduce this hazard. And the situation has gotten dramatically worse in many developing countries – most notably, China and India, which have industrialized faster and on vaster scales than ever seen before. According to the World Health Organization, more than 90 percent of the world’s children breathe air so polluted it threatens their health and development.  

As environmental health specialists, we believe the problem of fine particulate air pollution deserves much more attention, including in the United States. New research is connecting PM2.5 exposure to an alarming array of health effects. At the same time, the Trump administration’s efforts to support the fossil fuel industry could increase these emissions when the goal should be further reducing them.

The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter – 30 times larger than the largest fine particle. EPA 

Where there’s smoke … 

Particulate matter is produced mainly by burning things. In the United States, the majority of PM2.5 emissions come from industrial activities, motor vehicles, cooking and fuel combustion, often including wood. There is a similar suite of sources in developing countries, but often with more industrial production and more burning of solid fuels in homes.  

Wildfires are also an important and growing source, and winds can transport wildfire emissions hundreds of miles from fire regions. In August 2018, environmental regulators in Michigan reported that fine particles from wildfires burning in California were impacting their state’s air quality.

More remains found in Paradise area increasing death toll to 56

Google Maps

Via the Chico Enterprise-Record: More remains found in Paradise area increasing death toll to 56. Excerpt:

An additional eight remains were found in the Paradise area bringing the number of deaths to 56 in the Camp Fire. Of the latest discovery, six bodies were found inside structures and two were outside, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said. 

More than 400 people and 22 cadaver dogs are part of the search effort. The process to collect DNA sampling from the public will begin Thursday. Anyone who believes they have a deceased family member can go to the Sheriff’s Office to provide a DNA sample. 

At last report, the fire had destroyed 7,600 single-family homes, 95 multi-family structures and 260 businesses. The burned area was 135,000 acres.  

There are 5,600 people fighting the fire and they have obtained 35 percent containment. 

Highway 32 was reopened westbound between Forest Ranch and Chico Wednesday afternoon, as firefighters made progress on the Camp Fire. The road is still closed eastbound from Chico though. 

Conditions 

Wednesday’s weather has been favorable, and the fire hasn’t grown much, according to public information officer Capt. Keith Wade from the Sacramento Fire Department.  

He said the fire was active east of Paradise Lake, but was well south of Stirling City. It was also growing near Big Bar Mountain on the east side of the North Fork of the Feather River, southeast of Pulga.  

The fire was also hot where the West Branch and North Fork of the Feather River diverge, near the Highway 70 bridge over Lake Oroville. The fire had jumped Monday south of the lake both toward Cherokee and Berry Creek, but Wade said the fire wasn’t growing in that area Wednesday. 

The Bloomer Hill area is mostly in mop-up.

Grim work continues on Camp Fire, California's deadliest ever with 42 dead

Via the Chico, California Enterprise-Record: Grim work continues on Camp Fire, California's deadliest ever with 42 dead. Excerpt:

With an updated number of 42 dead and more than 6,500 homes burned, emergency personnel continue to battle flames of the Camp Fire while sifting through ashes with the help of cadaver dogs. 

The fire has grown to 125,000 acres and is still at 30 percent containment, according to Cal Fire on Tuesday. Cal Fire says 6,522 homes and 260 commercial structures have been destroyed. The Camp Fire is now expected to be surrounded but not out by Nov. 30. 

Fire is still burning in areas and putting out hot spots is a priority, while protecting structures, Cal Fire reported.  Fire personnel numbers have grown to 5,139, including air tanker crews that have been dropping retardant and water for fire suppression when conditions have allowed.

Evacuations are still in place for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley.  

Evacuation warnings are still in place, other than for Thermalito, which was lifted Monday night.  

An interactive website to check on buildings in Paradise has been set up and can be found here. It is not a complete inventory yet.

Camp Fire becomes California’s most deadly blaze with 42 fatalities so far

Via The Sacramento Bee: Camp Fire becomes California’s most deadly blaze with 42 fatalities so far. Excerpt:

The death toll from the Camp Fire reached 42 Monday, making the Northern California blaze the deadliest fire in state history. 

The number of fatalities far outstrips the 1933 Griffith Park Fire that killed 29 people in Los Angeles. With hundreds still reported missing in Butte County, the total is expected to grow.  

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said 13 more victims were found Monday, 10 in the Paradise area and three in Concow. Honea said eight of the victims were found inside homes, the others outside. 

Four of the victims have been identified, and relatives of three had been notified as of Monday, Honea said. The three whose names were released were Jesus “Zeus” Fernandez, 48, of Concow; Carl Wiley, 77, of Magalia; and Ernest Foss, 65, of Paradise. 

Fernandez had a beloved German shepherd named King, said Myrna Pascua, a friend who had been active on social media for days searching for him. She said Fernandez’s son was notified Monday night that he was found pinned between two cars.  

“We kind of had a bad feeling about it and I can’t even think right now,” Pascua said. “It’s a sad situation but at least we have an answer, because it was very difficult not having an answer all these days.” 

The Camp Fire has devastated the town of Paradise and has destroyed at least 7,177 structures, most of them homes, making it the most destructive blaze in state history measured by the number of structures destroyed. 

President Trump, who on Saturday criticized California officials for “gross mismanagement” of forests, tweeted late Monday that he had approved emergency federal aid for the state.  

“I just approved an expedited request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California,” the president tweeted. “Wanted to respond quickly in order to alleviate some of the incredible suffering going on. I am with you all the way. God Bless all of the victims and families affected.” 

Search teams were looking for more remains throughout the burned out area of Paradise Monday, which once had a population of about 27,000 residents, and in surrounding hill towns. The bodies of many victims have been reduced to little more than ash, requiring authorities to bring in special forensics teams to collect remains, and necessitating DNA testing to identify the dead.

Camp Fire: Deadly blaze grows 2,000 acres overnight

Via The Sacramento Times: Camp Fire: Deadly blaze grows 2,000 acres overnight. Excerpt:

The Camp Fire, one of California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires in history, made overnight runs but did not spread in the direction of Oroville or Chico Sunday night. 

The fire grew by just 2,000 acres to 113,000 acres, according to Cal Fire’s 7 a.m. Monday incident report and an operational briefing.  

The blaze, which erupted Thursday morning and has killed at least 29 people with more than 200 still reported missing, is now at 25 percent containment, Cal Fire reports.  

The Camp Fire has destroyed an estimated 6,700 structures, more than 6,400 of them homes, the latest incident report says, making it the most destructive blaze in state history measured by the number of structures destroyed. 

More than 4,500 personnel are assigned to the Camp Fire as 15,500 additional structures remain under threat, according to the incident report. In addition to the 29 civilian fatalities, three firefighters have suffered injuries fighting the Camp Fire. Officials have said more victims will likely be discovered in coming day, potentially making the Camp Fire the deadliest wildfire in state history. Currently, it is tied in the number of fatalities with the 1933 Griffith Fire.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place throughout Butte County. As of Monday morning, five evacuation centers were open — Bidwell Junior High School, and the fairgrounds for Yuba-Sutter, Plumas, Glenn and Butte counties. Two additional shelters, the Nazarene Church in Oroville and Neighborhood Church in Chico, remain full. 

More detailed information regarding evacuation orders can be found via Butte County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter.  

A National Weather Service red flag warning is in place until 11 a.m., but winds are expected to calm in the afternoon, officials said during Monday’s briefing.

Fast-moving wildfire erupts near Cal State San Bernardino as Santa Ana winds pick up

 Google Maps

Via The Los Angeles Times, posted about 15 minutes ago--9:15 pm PST: Fast-moving wildfire erupts near Cal State San Bernardino as Santa Ana winds pick up. Excerpt:

A new fire broke out Sunday night in the hills above Cal State San Bernardino, spreading rapidly as erratic Santa Ana winds whipped through the area, officials said. 

The wind-driven blaze was reported about 8 p.m. above the 5500 block of University Parkway and quickly grew from 3 to 30 acres, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.  

Fire crews were putting engines in place to protect buildings. It’s unclear how many structures, if any, are under threat or whether authorities are ordering evacuations.

Forced out by deadly California fires, then trapped in traffic

Via The New York Times: Forced Out by Deadly California Fires, Then Trapped in Traffic. Excerpt, and then a comment:

PARADISE, Calif. — Thousands of residents in the wooded town of Paradise did what they were told to do when the morning skies turned dark and an inferno raged across the hills: They got in their cars and fled. What happened next was the vehicular equivalent of a stampede, packing the roads to a standstill.  

In the hours after the devastating wildfire broke out around Paradise on Thursday morning, tree-lined streets in the town swiftly became tunnels of fire, blocked by fallen power lines and burning timber. Frantic residents, encircled by choking dense smoke and swirling embers, ran out of gas and ditched their cars. Fire crews struggling to reach the town used giant earthmovers to plow abandoned vehicles off the road as if they were snowdrifts after a blizzard.  

By Sunday night, the Camp Fire had matched the deadliest in California history, the Griffith Park Fire of 1933, with 29 fatalities. Seven of the victims in Paradise died in their vehicles.  

Farther south near Los Angeles, where another vast fire continued its destruction, a mass evacuation was also all but halted at times by snarled roads. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that two bodies had been found severely burned inside a stopped vehicle on a long, narrow driveway in Malibu. 

 At a news conference late Sunday, Sheriff Kory L. Honea of Butte County said that 228 people were still unaccounted for in Northern California; state officials said they were not aware of anyone missing in connection to fires in the south. Statewide, about 149,000 were still under orders to leave their homes.  

Again and again in California’s battle with wildfires, roads have emerged as a major vulnerability for those escaping.

In the spring of 2016, the oilsands town of Fort McMurray, Alberta, suffered a very similar experience: a wildfire they called "the Beast." All 80,000 residents evacuated, excerpt for the firefighters. Just two persons died, both in an auto accident in the evacuation. One of the town's fire chiefs, Damian Asher, wrote a book about his experience, and I reviewed it in The Tyee in 2017.

Asher's hard-earned lessons deserve to be learned by every municipality in western North America. Among them: even the best-equipped, best-trained firefighters who survive will be casualties.