Friday, November 09, 2018

The Most Destructive Wildfire in California History

KFC restaurant, Paradise, CA  (Chronicle photo)
Stopping in Vacaville on Thursday morning, we espied a gray haze on the horizon. The smell of burning wood was in the air, signaling a nearby fire. By the time we got to Sacramento, 35 miles away, the air should be clear. However...

Little did we know that Sacramento was on the way to the source of the smoke over 120 miles away. The so-called Camp Fire had "exploded near Chico" that morning.
Paradise or Hell? (Chronicle photo)
The massive Camp Fire that exploded near Chico in Butte County on Thursday is now the most destructive wildfire in California history. Officials announced Friday that the Camp Fire, which continues burning, destroyed 6,713 structures as of Friday evening. It has also killed 9 people and dozens remained missing a day after it began.

The blaze reached 90,000 acres by Friday evening — more than twice the size of San Francisco — and was 5 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Eleven years ago my uncle, the best mechanic I ever knew, passed away. His home was in Paradise, most of which has been destroyed by the Camp Fire. I still miss and think often of him and my aunt, but I'm glad they're not here to experience this.

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