Paradise Fire/Camp Creek Fire 11/08/2018 (Orange, Vista: motorhome, purchase, safety)

[randomparent]

Originally Posted by Snort

Whoa! Is that second number right?

That took me aback, too, but I think it is probably correct. I'm hopeful that some will be located alive eventually, but when all the dead are tallied, I believe the number will still be gut-wrenchingly high. I keep watching drone videos of the aftermath and thinking how miraculous it is that anyone survived.

[katharsis]

Originally Posted by Snort

Whoa! Is that second number right?

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/15/us/ca...res/index.html

Many of those on the list might be duplicates, and many might be safe -- I certainly HOPE so!!

Once again, this type of thing certainly puts one's very small annoyances and problems in perspective!

[Hazel W]

Originally Posted by Mike930

I thought they goofed. They headline says 130 but the story says it ballooned up to 631 once they synced up all the missing person call centers.

Northern California wildfire death toll at 56; 130 missing - CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8

They previously said it could be people that just lost contact with friends and relatives in the rush to get out. I’m sure (hope) people had to get out so fast they left their phones behind.

I also got that 631 where I read. An explanation said it was because they'd finally had time to sit down and compare lists. They were also asking people who see their names on the list to call and let them know they are safe.


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-ca...p+news+stories

[Mike930]

Originally Posted by Hazel W

I also got that 631 where I read. An explanation said it was because they'd finally had time to sit down and compare lists. They were also asking people who see their names on the list to call and let them know they are safe.


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-ca...p+news+stories

Hopefully that number will drop dramatically. All accounts say it came so fast there was no warning and not much time to react.

[nobodysbusiness]

I have a question about the casualties: Were people not evacuated, or why were there so many casualties, and why are there so many people now missing?

[Mike930]

Originally Posted by nobodysbusiness

I have a question about the casualties: Were people not evacuated, or why were there so many casualties, and why are there so many people now missing?

From the reports I read, there were no reverse 911 calls and no warning. They found people’s remains near their vehicles. That sounds like it came through so fast, there wasn’t a lot of time to react.

I’ve read quite a few accounts about people saying their relatives in that area were older, didn’t have a car, etc. I’m not sure if that’s a retirement area or if the people living there were mainly older. That may have played a part in it, but I’m not sure.

[Usrname]

Originally Posted by nobodysbusiness

I have a question about the casualties: Were people not evacuated, or why were there so many casualties, and why are there so many people now missing?

Paradise and Magalia had about 38K population combined.
A lot of residents elderly or disabled.
Towns are surrounded by heavy forests. (in immediate proximity of towns: not National Forests, but mostly private forested lands).
No siren.
Only a couple of real evacuation routes out of town, 2-lane roads (Skyway partly).
Fire started on Pulga property, only around 8 miles from Paradise as crow flies.
Wildfire can move with the speed of fast moving car.
Santa Ana winds pushed the fire exactly in the direction of Paradise, bad coincidence.

[Windwalker2]

Originally Posted by Mike930

From the reports I read, there were no reverse 911 calls and no warning. They found people’s remains near their vehicles. That sounds like it came through so fast, there wasn’t a lot of time to react.

I’ve read quite a few accounts about people saying their relatives in that area were older, didn’t have a car, etc. I’m not sure if that’s a retirement area or if the people living there were mainly older. That may have played a part in it, but I’m not sure.

When I think of my parents in their late 80's and 90's, I think they would never have been able to navigate such a sudden and difficult situation and get out safely. Paradise was a retirement area. Look at the ages of the missing.


I am also concerned for those very elderly people who may have gotten out. Such a huge disruption of their life, living in a tent, no meds or care, could be fatal too. Is anyone looking out for them especially?

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by Windwalker2

When I think of my parents in their late 80's and 90's, I think they would never have been able to navigate such a sudden and difficult situation and get out safely. Paradise was a retirement area. Look at the ages of the missing.

I am also concerned for those very elderly people who may have gotten out. Such a huge disruption of their life, living in a tent, no meds or care, could be fatal too. Is anyone looking out for them especially?

Very true. I was just reading an article about an attempted rescue out of Concow. Firefighters were trying to evacuate a group of people in their cars but the flames were moving so quickly, they had to abandon them and jump into the nearby lake. One man, in his 90's was one of them. They're all alive but what a frightening experience.

[Hazel W]

Paradise was definitely a home for retirees. If you saw those "Before and After" pictures, you would see beautiful streets lined with retirees' homes. BBC had several. Other media also had some. It also served as a sort of bedroom community for people who worked in nearby Chico or other city but didn't want to live there. I think my friend said it was only about a thirty minute drive from Paradise to Chico. Someone who lives there could say for sure.


And, yes, the fire spread too fast. There has been a lot of drought in CA and other NW states. That leaves very dry grass, perfect fire tinder. It just came too fast. And smoke was so heavy. My friend, who has evacuated more than once says it was the worst she ever drove through. She wasn't sure which way she was going. Just follow the fellow in front of her.