The death toll in the California wildfires has risen to 31. There are still 200 people missing officials have said.
Six more people have been confirmed to have been killed in the camp fire in the north of the state. It is now equalling the deadliest wildfire on record in California in 1933. In the south, the sire has claimed two lives as it damaged a beach resort including Malibu.
An estimated 250,000 people have been forced to leave their homes with little to no notice to avoid the major blaze. State Governor Jerry Brown has urged the President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster this is a move that would allow more emergency funds. The appeal came a day after Mr Trump threatened to cut funding for California, blaming the fire as poor forest management.
Emergency teams have been sifting through the remains of more than 6,700 homes and business that have been burnt down. At a news conference late on Sunday, Butte County Sheriff said the bodies of five people had been found in their burned-out homes and a sixth was found inside a vehicle.
The blaze has burned down more than 109,000 acres and is nearly 25% contained.
What happened?
The blaze started on Thursday near Thousand Oaks about 40 miles north-west of central Los Angeles. By Sunday it had consumed 83,000 acres and destroyed at least 177 buildings. Evacuation orders were put in place in several towns and cities as winds of up to 50mph moved the three major blazes. Thousands of residents packed the Pacific Highway to head south or take refuge on beaches along with their horses and pets.
Some incidents (such as looting) was reported to police in the southern fire area over the weekend and arrests have been made. Luxury homes in Malibu and other beach communities are among properties that have fallen victim to the flames. There are due to be winds of up to 70mph expected over the coming days therefore, there is potential that the fires could spread quickly and unexpectedly.
Why are the fires so bad?
It is known (historically) to be California’s wildfire season started in summer and ran in to autumn, but experts have warned that the risk is becoming all year-round. The current fires are being blamed on climate change and weather conditions. Low humidity and warm winds with rain free ground is seeming to produce the fire spreading conditions.
People in California explain the fire to be the deadliness to date, the population is at 40 million almost double of what is was in 1970s and the number living close to at risk forest areas are rising.
