Death toll in California fire rises to 79

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01:38

The death toll from the wildfires in Northern California increased by two Tuesday, bringing the total to 79.

According to a press release from the Butte County Sheriff's office, the human remains of two people were located on Tuesday. The number of people unaccounted for has decreased by 294 and currently stands at 699.

The Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, has destroyed more than 11,700 homes since starting November 8. It was 70 percent contained as of Tuesday, according to the incident report cited by the local newspaper.

Firefighters move debris while recovering human remains in California, November 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

Many refugees from the fire have taken up temporary residence with friends and relatives, while others have pitched tents or were camping out of their vehicles.

The death toll far surpasses the previous fatality record from a single California wildfire – 29 in the Griffith Park fire of 1933 in Los Angeles – and already ranks among the deadliest US wildfires since the turn of the last century.

Besides the toll on human life, property losses from the blaze make it the most destructive in California history, posing the additional challenge of providing long-term shelter for many thousands of displaced residents.

(Sources: Reuters, AP)

Source(s): Reuters