Rain could hinder search for victims of California wildfire

Death toll rises to 77 as rescuers ramp up efforts to locate 993 missing before expected adverse weather hits.

Politics 22:43 19.11.2018

The search for remains of victims of the devastating Northern California wildfires has taken on new urgency as rain in the forecast could complicate those efforts, while also bringing relief to firefighters on the front lines.

Hundreds of rescue workers sifted through charred rubble on Sunday, searching for signs of the 993 people listed as missing, after flames roared through the town of Paradise and surrounding communities.

The death toll from the wildfires in northern California has risen to 77, while thousands have been left homeless from the deadliest blaze to hit the US state.

"One human remain was located today," raising the toll by one in the so-called Camp Fire which broke out 10 days ago in northern California, a statement from the Butte County Sheriff said on Sunday.

The number of people believed missing was revised down from 1,276 to 993, the statement added.

Sheriff Kory Honea said it was within the "realm of possibility" that officials would never know the exact death toll from the fires.

"As much as I wish that we could get through all of this before the rains come, I don't know if that's possible," Honea said.

The blaze was 65 percent contained on Sunday.

Rain is forecast for the area this week, potentially helping douse the flames, but raising the risk of floods and mudslides that will swell the misery of 46,000 people under evacuation orders.

Many of those who fled their homes have taken up temporary residence with friends and relatives, while others have pitched tents or were camping out of their vehicles.

US President Donald Trump surveyed the remains of Paradise during a visit on Saturday. He also assessed the damage from another fire further south in Malibu, where three people died.

'Rise from the ashes'

On Sunday afternoon, more than 50 people gathered at a memorial for the victims at First Christian Church in Chico, where a banner on the altar read, "We will rise from the ashes."

People hugged and shed tears as Pastor Jesse Kearns recited a prayer for first firefighters, rescuers and search teams: "We ask for continued strength as they are growing weary right now."

Paul Stavish, who retired three months ago from a Silicon Valley computer job and moved to Paradise, placed a battery-powered votive candle on the altar as a woman played piano and sang "Amazing Grace".

Stavish, his wife and three dogs managed to escape the fire, but their home is gone. He said he was thinking of the dead and also mourning the tight-knit community.

"This is not just a few houses getting burned," he said. "The whole town is gone."

Rain is forecast for midweek in the Paradise area.

The National Weather Service said the area could get 32 kilometres per hour sustained winds and 64km/h gusts, which could make it hard for crews to keep making progress against the blaze.

Focus turns to health

Reporting from a shelter in Chico, Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey said that community volunteers were assisting with short-term relief efforts for evacuees.

"An army of volunteers has come together to help with the influx of tens of thousands of evacuees," said Saloomey. "In addition to shelter, they are providing food and clothing, not to mention medical assistance from local doctors and nurses."

Some of the displaced who have moved to shelters have suffered from an outbreak of norovirus and other intestinal problems, she added, noting that about 30 people had to be moved into isolation in one shelter to prevent the disease from spreading.

"I was sick and vomiting for three or four days. Vomiting, diarrhoea, the whole nine yards," said Dorothy Melton, who was staying at the shelter.

Refugees from the fire were also likely to suffer from mental health issues, according to Dr David Sprenger, a psychiatrist at the shelter.

He told Al Jazeera that he suspected there would be "a lot of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)".

"It may not be full-blown PTSD, but it may be just folks with nightmares, maybe a lot of sadness, irritability, people with trouble sleeping. That's really common after this type of disaster," he said.

Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
11:08 19.03.2024
US Maritime Administration issues new advisory amid rising maritime threats in Middle East
10:55 19.03.2024
EU looks forward to cooperation with Azerbaijan for successful COP29
10:38 19.03.2024
EU to impose tariffs on Russian grain
10:11 19.03.2024
Embassy of Azerbaijan in France appeals to Azerbaijanis
10:00 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
09:48 19.03.2024
Mehriban Aliyeva makes post on Last Tuesday before Novruz Holiday
09:35 19.03.2024
Pashinyan: Delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan entered practical stage
09:00 19.03.2024
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
12:17 18.03.2024
Why does Azerbaijan matter to the European Union? - OPINION
12:00 18.03.2024
Number of human remains found in mass grave in Khojaly reaches 19
11:45 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
11:33 18.03.2024
EU Council to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization
11:23 18.03.2024
Global Terrorism Index: Azerbaijan among countries with highest anti-terror rating worldwide
10:56 18.03.2024
Oil prices keep rising
Oil prices keep rising
10:40 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg: NATO looking forward to further strengthening partnership with Azerbaijan
10:23 18.03.2024
Hamısı