California Wildfires Death Toll Climbs to 50
California Wildfires Death Toll Climbs to 50
Search teams in
Rescue workers with cadaver dogs and a rapid DNA analysis system focused much of their attention near the northern
Survivors escaped to rescue shelters, posting pictures of their loved ones and friends on bulletin boards in hopes someone might know whether they were able to flee to safety.
One evacuee,
He said he unsuccessfully sought to convince a neighbor friend to escape with him and does not know what happened to him.
President
Trump praised rescue workers after being briefed by Interior Secretary
"Thank you to the great Firefighters, First Responders and @FEMA for the incredible job they are doing w/ the California Wildfires. Our Nation appreciates your heroism, courage & genius. God Bless you all!" Trump said on Twitter.
Search for missing continues
Authorities said more than 200 people were still unaccounted for as the searches continued and the fire advanced to the north and east of
When asked if authorities had done enough to warn people to evacuate, Honea said they did their best, and that after this fire is fully dealt with there will be time to examine what lessons can be learned for the future.
"We were trying to move tens of thousands of people out of an area, very rapidly, with the fire coming very rapidly, and no matter what your plan is to do that, no plan will ever work 100 percent when you're dealing with that much chaos," he said.
Wildfires are common in
Honea said it's possible people were lulled into a false sense of security by the past success fire crews had in controlling fires that broke out in the region.
"I think often times people rely on their past experience, and perhaps in this case to their detriment," he said.
Fire officials said they had some success in fighting the fire as weather conditions that had made the fires so prone to spread eased somewhat, but that lingering swirling winds and the steep terrain where they are working present challenges.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although two utility companies reported circuit and transmission problems about the time the fires started last Thursday.
SEE ALSO:
(http://www.voanews.com/a/california-fire-victims-sue-local-electric-company/4658356.html)
In addition to the "
Trump has declared the fires a major disaster, freeing up federal funding for those affected by the blazes.
He pledged Tuesday to do "everything in our power to support our fellow citizens in harm's way."
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