This post is no longer being updated. You can find the latest information about the Camp Fire by clicking here.
Here's the latest:
Update at 9:00 p.m.
The confirmed death toll of the Camp Fire still stands at nine individuals, since the Cal Fire Butte County press conference at 6 p.m. and the total area burned at 90,000 acres. Lack of high winds like those present on Thursday helped firefighters however tomorrow winds are expected to pick in the evening, according to the National Weather Service. Those high winds will continue into Monday morning with widespread winds of up to 30 miles per hour likely in the valley, and gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour along mountain ridges.
More than 3,000 firefighters are involved in battling the Camp Fire and the current estimate of the destruction is 6,453 homes and 260 businesses.
52,000 people have been displaced and as of 6 pm Butte County is reporting that the evacuation centers at the Butte County Fairgrounds and the Glenn County Fairgrounds are completely full. Evacuation centers at both the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds and the Chester Memorial Hall are still open. Again the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds and the Chester Memorial Hall are still open
Butte County schools will be out until Nov. 23 and CSU Chico until the 26th.
Update at 7:00 p.m.
Authorities have raised the confirmed death toll to nine, in what is shaping up as another major disaster in the North State. The Camp Fire, first reported Thursday morning at 6:30, has exploded across rugged foothill terrain and through Paradise – Butte County’s second largest city.
After mostly subsiding Friday morning, the fire gave firefighters and residents some breathing room, gusty north winds are expected to resume tomorrow evening, according to the National Weather Service. Those high winds will continue into Monday morning. Widespread winds of up to 30 miles per hour are likely in the valley, with gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour along mountain ridges.
The winds can cause the fire to spread rapidly and erratically.
At a news conference Friday evening, Cal Fire officials said more than 3,000 firefighters are involved in battling the Camp Fire.
A revised, but by no means final estimate of the destruction stands at 6,453 homes destroyed and 260 businesses totally destroyed.
A total of 52,000 people have fled Paradise and surrounding areas on the ridge taking up shelter with friends, family or at any of a number of evacuation shelters across the region.
Butte County is reporting that the evacuation centers at the Butte County Fairgrounds and the Glenn County Fairgrounds are full. Again, both the evacuation centers at the Butte County Fairgrounds and the Glenn County Fairgrounds are at capacity.
Evacuation centers at both the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds and the Chester Memorial Hall are still open.
Butte County schools will be out until Nov. 23 and CSU Chico until the 26th. No details will be released about the cause of the fire during the investigation.
Update at 5:50 p.m.
Butte County’s Cal Fire unit will be holding a press conference at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Butte County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire and the Paradise Police Department are all giving updates. NSPR will be airing the press conference LIVE. Tune in!
Update at 5:15 p.m.
Enloe Hospital in Chico has absorbed all of the patients displaced by the Feather River Hospital and are still able to serve anyone needing medical attention in the area. They ask that anyone needing medication please visit a local pharmacy instead of coming to the hospital in order to save space for those needing it. The Enloe Foundation has set up a relief fund for anyone hoping to help Enloe patients, their families or caregivers affected by the fire. You can donate by texting "CampFireRelief" to 91999. We’ll also have a link on our website: mynspr.org.
The United Way has also started a NorCal Disaster Relief Fund to aid victims of the Camp Fire. You can make donations to that fund by texting “ButteFire” to 91999. Or you can visit their website Nor Cal United Way dot com. Again you can text “ButteFire” to 91999. Or go to Nor Cal United Way dot com.
Looking at the latest numbers – the Butte County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that five people have died in the Camp Fire. At this point none have been identified. Autopsies will be conducted. The Camp Fire remains 70,000 acres in size. Cal Fire estimates that 2,000 structures have been destroyed thus far, and another 15,000 are considered under threat.
The fire continues to burn to the northwest into Magalia and toward Stirling City. Extremely dry fuels and heavy fuel loads in combination with low humidity will continue to produce active fire behavior and impede control efforts. Paradise and Concow will continue to experience active burning throughout the day.
All evacuations that were issued last night for Chico have been lifted and those areas are open for re-population with the exception of Stilson Canyon.
Update at 2:45 p.m.
According to Cal Fire, more than 2,300 personnel, 300 engines, and 18 helicopters are engaged with the Camp Fire, which now exceeds 70,000 acres. Estimates are that as many as 2,000 structures may have already burned. Butte County Sheriff reports five known fatalities, with more reported and more anticipated as personnel gain access to burned areas. The fire is still listed as only 5% contained.
Because of disruptions in the operation of Feather River Hospital, Enloe Medical Center has agreed to temporarily extend its contract with Anthem Blue Cross through December 31, 2018, to help address the needs of the community.
Michelle Zeveley, Assistant Superintendent for the Butte County Office of Education, announced this morning that all Butte County schools -- elementary through high school -- will be closed through Thanksgiving due to staff displacement, poor air quality, and loss of internet.
Jason Mandly, Senior Air Quality Planner with Butte County Air Quality Management District, says heavy smoke continues to be a problem. The District is locating more sensors around the county to monitor air quality. The dense smoke has resulted in a run on N-95 face masks, commonly available in hardware stores. Chico retailers are hard-pushed to maintain inventory, so it’s best to call first if you need one.
Update 1:45 p.m.
Here’s the latest information we have for the Camp Fire:
According to the Cal Fire website, strong NE winds pushed the fire to the South and Southwest overnight. The fire will continue to burn in drainages to the North and Northeast. The fire continues to burn to the Northwest into Magalia and toward Stirling City. Extremely dry fuels and heavy fuel loads in combination with low humidity will continue to produce active fire behavior and impede control efforts. The Town of Paradise and Concow will continue to experience active burning throughout the day.
Overnight the fire burned to the Southwest toward the City of Chico and Butte Creek Canyon and South towards Highway 99 and 149. The fire has crossed Highway 70 near Pulga and will continue to burn to the East and Southeast toward Yankee Hill.
All evacuations for Chico have been lifted and those areas are open for re-population, with the exception of Stilson Canyon.
The Camp Fire now exceeds 70,000 acres in size. Approximately 2,000 structures are estimated to have been destroyed thus far, and another 15,000 are considered under threat.
Given the large number of evacuees, additional shelters have been opened in Chico at:
- Chico Free Evangelical Church – 1193 Filbert Ave.
- Azad’s Martial Arts Studio – 313 Walnut Street
- Pleasant valley Baptist – Garner Lane (also taking small animals)
- Bidwell Presbyterian church – 208 West 1rst St.
Bidwell Presbyterian is a designated Red Cross donation center. Needed supplies include adult & child diapers, bottled water, snacks, non-perishable foods, first aid supplies, toiletries, and feminine hygiene products. Drop offs can be made between 9:00 and 5:00.
A quick note: the small animal shelter at Chico airport is no longer accepting cats.
We’ll continue to update you at the top and bottom of each hour until further notice.
Update 12:30 p.m.
According to Cal Fire, more than 2,300 personnel, 300 engines, and 18 helicopters are engaged with the Camp Fire, which now exceeds 70,000 acres. Estimates are that as many as 2,000 structures may have already burned. Butte County Sheriff reports five known fatalities, with more reported and more anticipated as personnel gain access to burned areas. The fire is still listed as only 5% contained.
Because of disruptions in the operation of Feather River Hospital, Enloe Medical Center has agreed to temporarily extend its contract with Anthem Blue Cross through December 31, 2018,to help address the needs of the community.
Michelle Zeveley, Assistant Superintendent for the Butte County Office of Education, just announced that all Butte County schools -- elementary through high school -- will be closed through Thanksgiving due to staff displacement, poor air quality, and loss of internet.
Update 12 noon.
Following a night of explosive growth, Cal Fire reports the Camp Fire now comprises more than 70,000 acres, with as many as 2,000 structures estimated destroyed. The most current reported containment figure is 5%.
Butte County Sheriff reports five known fatalities but warns that number will almost certainly increase as officials gain access to burned areas.
Evacuations and many road closures remain in effect. However, evacuations for Chico residents, except those in Stilson Canyon, have been lifted. According to Chico PD, the evacuation order for Stilson Canyon is expected to be lifted anytime.
Additional shelters have been opened in Chico. These are located at
Chico Free Evangelical Church – 1193 Filbert
Azad’s Martial Arts Studio – 313 Walnut Street
Bidwell Presbyterian Church – 208 West 1st Street
Bidwell Presbyterian is a designated Red Cross donation drop-off center. Current needs include child & adult diapers, toiletries, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, bottled water, and snacks and non-perishable foods. Drop-offs can be made between 9:00 and 5:00.
Additionally, Air B&B has activated its disaster program for Butte County, which allows members to offer free housing to evacuees. Information about that at:
www.Airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/buttecounty
Additional evacuation centers are open in Yuba City, Orland, Chester, Oroville, and Gridley.
The North Valley Community Foundation has set up a fund to aid evacuees.
The North Valley Animal Disaster Group has shelters for small and large animals open in Chico, Oroville and Gridley. For more information on where to take your pet in an evacuation, please call the N-V-A-D-G hotline at 345-0000
Update 10:18 a.m.
New evacuation centers have been opened in Chico. They’re located at:
- Chico Free Evangelical Church at 1193 Filbert Avenue.
- Azad’s Martial Arts at 313 Walnut Street Suite 150.
- Bidwell Presbyterian at 208 West 1st Street.
Evacuation shelters also remain open in Yuba City, Orland, Chester, Oroville and Gridley.
The North Valley Animal Disaster Group has shelters for small and large animals open in Chico, Oroville and Gridley. For more information on where to take your pet in an evacuation, please call the NVADG hotline at 345-0000.
Update 8:50 a.m.
Cal Fire is reporting that the Camp Fire is currently 70,000 acres in size and 5 percent contained. According to its website, 15,000 structures are still threatened.
Update at 8:40 a.m.
New road closures were issued for the Camp Fire at 7 a.m.
According to Caltrans:
- Highway 70 is closed westbound from Garden Drive to the Highway 89 junction and eastbound from the Highway 89 junction to the Highway 149 junction.
- Highway 99 is closed in both directions from Shippee Road to Southgate Avenue.
- Highway 191 is closed at the Highway 70 junction.
There are media reports that the fire is up to 70,000 acres, but we have not been able to confirm that with Cal Fire. At this time Cal Fire is still reporting on its website and social media accounts that the size of the fire is 20,000 acres with 15,000 structures threatened.
Officials have not yet given information on whether or not there have been any fatalities or how many homes have been lost.
We are working to get updated numbers.
Update at 6:40 a.m.
The newest evacuations for the fire were issued at 5:30 a.m. Friday.
According to the Butte County Sheriff an evacuation order has been issued for the areas of Stirling City and Inskip. Residents are advised to exit up through Butte Meadows and down Highway 32.
As of early Friday morning the fire is still estimated to be more than 20,000 acres in size. There are 15,000 structures threatened. Officials have not yet given information on whether or not there have been any fatalities or how many homes have been lost.
Thursday night the fire was moving toward the east side of Chico. As far as we know, the fire has not yet burned into the Chico City limits.
The shelters in Chico at the Elks Lodge and the Neighborhood Church are at capacity. There are now shelters open in:
- Yuba City at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, located at 442 Franklin Avenue.
- Orland at the Glenn County Fairgrounds, located at 221 East Yolo Street.
- Chester at the Chester Memorial Hall, located at 22 Gay Street.
- Oroville Nazarene Church, located at 1705 Manzanita Avenue.
- Gridley at the Butte County Fairgrounds, located at 199 Hazel Street. This shelter is also taking large animals.
Small animal shelters are located in Chico at the Chico Airport and in Oroville at 2279 Del Oro Avenue.
All classes are cancelled and campuses are closed Friday for Chico State University, Butte College and all schools in the Butte County area.
We’ll continue to monitor this fire and will break in with any new critical information. We’ll also be bringing you on-air updates at the top and bottom of the hour throughout the day.