Camp Fire death toll reaches 83, rain causes extra challenges for search crews

BUTTE COUNTY, Ca. (KIEM) – Search crews found two more human remains on Wednesday, as a result of the Camp Fire in Butte County. This brings the wildfire’s total death toll to 83.

Out of those 83 people, 58 have been identified by authorities so far.

During a press conference today, Butte County Sheriff and Coroner Kory Honea said, “As of tonight, two additional remains were recovered in the affected area, bringing the total number of fatalities up to date to 83. One of those remains was found in a structure in Paradise. The other was found in a structure in Magalia. We are working diligently to identify those individuals so we can contact their next of kin and notify them,” said Butte County Sheriff and Coroner, Kory Honea.

Incoming rain is causing challenges in the search for individuals who have been marked as unaccounted for.

“The rain is of concern to us and there is certainly the potential for mudflows. We are watching that closely and what we will be telling our personnel is to be care, to be vigilant. And if we get to the point where that creates a hazard, we may have to pull personnel out of those areas and suspend the search in those areas where there is that hazard. But I can assure you that we are going to continue to push forward because this is important work that we’re doing and we want to get that done so we that we can recover those remains,” said Sheriff Honea.

As of Wednesday, the Camp Fire is 85% contained.

Also on Wednesday, hundreds of evacuees were treated to a hot pre-thanksgiving meal, thanks to the Oroville Rescue Mission.

More details on evacuation and re-population information is available, here.

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Humboldt County firefighters return home from Camp Fire

Camp Fire continues to burn in Butte County