California wildfires: Death toll is increasing

California wildfires: the Death toll is increasing. 31 victims died due the wildfires but unfortunately this number is provisional. In fact, more than 200 people are still missing. This fire now equals the deadliest on record in California – the 1933 Griffith Park disaster in Los Angeles.

California wildfires: the Death toll

At the moment only 25% of the wildfire “Camp Fire” has been contained. The fire is the most destructive in the state’s history and It burned more than 111,000 acres (45,000 hectares). 7 thousand houses have been destroyed and an estimated 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to avoid three major blazes in the State. The town of Paradise has totally burned down and 14 citizens died.

The situation is very dramatic. The bodies of five people had been found in their burned-out homes and a sixth was found inside a vehicle. At least 228 people were still unaccounted for, adding that DNA testing equipment was being sent should it be required to help identify victims.

Camp Fire is the biggest wildfire but there is also Hill Fire and the Woolsey Fire. They are burning the area between Los Angeles and Ventura. Luxury homes in Malibu and other beach communities are among the properties razed by the flames. Hollywood actor Gerard Butler shared a picture of a charred house on Twitter, writing: “Returned to my house in Malibu after evacuating. Heartbreaking time across California.” He thanked firefighters for their “courage, spirit and sacrifice”.

The authorities are monitoring the situation. The forecast for the next days is not good because the winds of up to 70mph (112km/h) are expected over the coming days, meaning fires could spread quickly and unexpectedly.

California Governor Jerry Brown has urged President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster.