California wildfire: Missing list reaches 631, remains of 7 victims found

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the number of missing had more than doubled during the day as investigators went back and checked emergency calls made when the fire broke out a week ago

International News: The number of people listed as missing in one of California's deadliest wildfires skyrocketed to 631, authorities said on Thursday, as the remains of seven additional victims were found by rescuers.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the number of missing had more than doubled during the day as investigators went back and checked emergency calls made when the fire broke out a week ago.
"I want you to understand that the chaos we were dealing with was extraordinary," he told journalists, in explaining the staggering new number.

Paradise, a town of around 26,000 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, was popular with retirees and many of those reported missing by the sheriff's office are elderly -- in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

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Virtually every home in Paradise, located 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of the state capital Sacramento, was destroyed by the fast-moving fire fuelled by high winds.

The "Camp Fire" has ravaged 135,000 acres (54,632 hectares) of land and is 35 per cent contained, according to Cal Fire. It has destroyed some 7,600 homes and 260 commercial properties. Battling the blaze are more than 5,600 fire personnel, some from as far away as Washington state and Texas.

The "Woolsey Fire" has razed 97,620 acres (39,505 hectares) and has been 47 per cent contained. Cal Fire said more than 3,500 fire personnel were battling the "Woolsey Fire," which has destroyed the Malibu homes of several celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Robin Thicke, Shannen Doherty and Gerard Butler.

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