Oh joy. Another California wildfire

Nov. 16, 6:30 PST

Camp Fire
Some evacuations lifted.

146,000 acres
50% contained
47,200 residents evacuated
1,164 sheltered

Fire lines are holding, for the most part, but winds are going to pick up in the next day or so--Red Flag warning tomorrow. Winds 45-50 MPH. "Will pose a challenge for fire fighting." Air quality will remain poor. Maybe improvement Sunday. Rain (yay!) Wednesday and Thursday. I will be thrilled to see a rainy Thanksgiving.

And now, today's report from the Sheriff.

1011 people unaccounted for. Raw data. May be dupes.

Total fatalities now 71.

Many, many northern California places of interest to visitors are closed (including SF cable cars!)

If you have questions, post here & I'll try to help. For the Branch regulars--send people here and I'll respond as best as I can.
Otherwise, please contact the deity of your choice and urge cooperation with next week's possible rain.

I know it's a bit risky at the moment, but my husband and I are thinking of holidaying in California in May next year, on a 3 week visit to the USA, flying into San Fransisco. I am now wondering if it is a bad idea. I would be grateful for some advice.
Thanks
Elizabeth

Nov. 17, 0945

Current Road closures, north & south.

I know it's a bit risky at the moment, but my husband and I are thinking of holidaying in California in May next year, on a 3 week visit to the USA, flying into San Fransisco. I am now wondering if it is a bad idea. I would be grateful for some advice.

That is way too far in the future to predict anything. Historically, May is not wildfire season, but who knows what this year will bring. The current situation is certainly on the far end of the scale in terms of number of people and amount of geography affected, when you consider evacuations and smoke effects.

I’d say, plan your trip and figure on having a great time.

Nov. 17, 1:45 PM PST

Camp Fire

Now 55% contained. Progress being made. But--red flag warning tonight. "Starting this evening after 1800, winds will begin to increase from the northeast. Peak gusts up to 50 mph will be after midnight and through 1000Sunday morning, especially over upper-slopes, ridges, and aligned drainages including the Feather River Canyon. Dry conditions with humidity around 15-25% will accompany the critical winds."

Rain still expected next week (yay!)

Smoke is still a problem, but not as bad as yesterday. Saw a Tweet where someone rejoiced that today's smoke would only be the equivalent of 8 cigarettes instead of 22.

Nov. 17, 6:30 PM PST

Camp Fire

149,000 acres burned, 55 percent contained.
12,794 structures destroyed and another 470 damaged. 9,899 are homes.
More evacuation orders lifted.

Air quality is predicted to slowly improve. But, short term, red flag warning tonight.

Missing, unaccounted for is 1276. Still very raw data. 714 people removed from unaccounted list today.

Five additional deaths confirmed. Total is now 76 fatalities. 63 tentatively identified, awaiting DNA confirmation.

Nov.18, 4:45 PM PST

I'm going to wind this down now. The two big issues for travel are Highway 1 in southern California (PCH) which is still closed, and the miserable smoke in the north. Both should be resolved soon. For Highway 1 opening info, got o_QuickMap_ Which shows highway conditions in real time. Rain later this week should take care of the smoke.

Otherwise, it's humanitarian, social, and political. The death toll for the CampFire will go up.

Are you an American who needs to get some tax deductions in before the end of the year? Are you someone who knows and loves California? Are you just a nice person? Please consider donating to these organizations. As I have been tracking these fires, I have looked into them & they have the Nutrax Seal of Approval (TM). One of them got my money. If none of them are got you, how about the Red Cross, Salvation Army or the SPCA?

Camp Fire
North Valley Community Foundation They will be in it for the long haul, helping people with immediate and long term needs.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group Doing everything thy can to rescue pets and livestock and reunite them with owners.

Woolsey Fire

_[Ventura County Community Foundation](https://vccf.org/donate/make-a-donation/_ "supports organizations providing shelter and long-term housing, legal services, education, healthcare and other immediate and long-term needs of disaster victims."

Humane Society of Ventura County and the _Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation

November 25

Camp Fire is now 100% contained. That means that the perimeter is secured, but there still may be active fire inside. Rain for the last few days really helped, and more is expected. Unfortunately, rain makes the search for human remains more difficult.

Many areas are no longer under evacuation orders, but it will be a while before Paradise is safe for people to enter. Downed power lines, destroyed roads, unsafe half burned trees, and more. And, of course, little for people to return to.

Statistics:
153,336 acres/62,000 hectares
13,972 residences, 528 commercial and 4,293 other buildings destroyed (number will rise)
85 fatalities (number will probably rise)
275 still missing (some may never be accounted for)