Northern California Wildfire Destroys Town, Forces Thousands to Flee

“This fire moved so fast and grew so fast a lot of people got caught by it.” –Cal Fire

A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Camp Fire has destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California  and has  reached the outskirts of the city of Chico, forcing tens of thousands to flee.

More than a dozen fires are currently burning across California, consuming tens of thousands of acres and threatening thousands of buildings.

Paradise on Fire from Hell: “The whole town is burning”

Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, about 85 miles north of Sacramento, forcing the town’s population of 27,000 to flee.

“The town is devastated, everything is destroyed. There’s nothing much left standing,” Cal Fire spokesman said.

In addition to utter destruction, there are reports of fatalities and casualties, but the details are as yet unconfirmed.

Chico, CA

The City of Chico [population 93,000,] is in the path of the wildfire, said Butte County Fire Dept.

Current map of evacuation zones in the City of Chico. Firefighters continue to actively engage the fire in order to protect life and property. Chico PD has alerted residents in the affective areas. #CampFire #ChicoFD pic.twitter.com/RdXQjcTf5e

— Chico Fire Department (@ChicoFD) November 9, 2018

In addition to the Camp Fire, Chico Firefighters have been busy responding to emergencies throughout the city. There have been multiple traffic collisions, vehicle fires and medical emergencies, including a call for CPR in progress. We are proud to serve our community! #ChicoFD

— Chico Fire Department (@ChicoFD) November 9, 2018

Camp Fire Incident Information:

• County: Butte County
• Location: Pulga Road at Camp Creek Road near Jarbo Gap
• Acres Burned – Containment: 20,000 acres
• Structures Threatened: 15,000
• Evacuations: Evacuation orders established for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley

#CampFire [update] Pulga Road at Camp Creek Road near Jarbo Gap (Butte County) is now 20,000 acres. Evacuations in place. https://t.co/CJkryyPNVZ pic.twitter.com/svhiCipxz6

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) November 9, 2018

#HillFire [update] at Hill Canyon Rd and Santa Rosa Rd, Santa Rosa Valley (Ventura County) per Ventura County Fire is now 10,000 acres. https://t.co/m9mxnWQh0T pic.twitter.com/MWOXL4vThd

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) November 9, 2018