Authorities Searching For At Least 80 People After California's Deadliest Wildfire

<p>Authorities searching through the blackened aftermath of California's deadliest wildfire released on Wednesday the names of about 80 people who were still missing, including many in their 80s and 90s.&nbsp;</p>

Wednesday, November 14th 2018, 3:52 pm

By: News 9


Authorities searching through the blackened aftermath of California's deadliest wildfire released on Wednesday the names of about 80 people who were still missing, including many in their 80s and 90s. Officials in Northern California said Tuesday that search crews had found six more bodies, bringing the death toll from the so-called "Camp Fire" to 48 and the statewide total to 50.

As the names of the missing were made public, additional crews joined the search. "We want to be able to cover as much ground as quickly as we possibly can," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said. "This is a very difficult task."

Read Related Story: Wildfire Destroys Entire Town As Massive Blazes Tear Through California

A new lawsuit blames the fire on a major utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, for allegedly failing to inspect and properly maintain its power lines. In a statement, PG&E said customer safety was its "highest priority" and it's focusing on helping first responders.

Five hundred miles south, firefighters have made progress battling the "Woolsey Fire." Some neighborhoods were reopened, and residents were able to see if their home survived.

California wildfires fast facts

Firefighters are battling three major wildfires in California. Here's a breakdown by the numbers as of Wednesday morning, according to Cal Fire and local officials.

Camp Fire

  • Location: Butte County
  • 135,000 acres burned
  • 35 percent contained
  • 48 fatalities confirmed, 3 firefighters injured
  • 8,817 structures destroyed, 7,600 of them homes

Woolsey Fire

  • Location: Los Angeles County, Ventura County
  • 97,620 acres burned
  • 47 percent contained
  • 2 fatalities confirmed, 3 firefighters injured
  • 435 structures destroyed, 57,000 in danger

Hill Fire

  • Location: Ventura County
  • 4,531 acres burned
  • 94 percent contained

California Wildfire Map

The "Camp Fire" in Northern California is raging north of the state capital of Sacramento, and the "Woolsey Fire" is burning outside Los Angeles.

Click here to read more on CBSNews.com.

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