Some Evacuation Orders Lifted for Camp Fire Area, Students Return to School
•
Authorities are lifting evacuation orders for some Northern California communities ravaged by the state’s deadliest wildfire but said no traffic will be allowed into the town of Paradise, which was the most devastated community in last month’s blaze. Lili Tan reports.
Authorities are lifting evacuation orders for some Northern California communities ravaged by the state's deadliest wildfire but said no traffic will be allowed into the town of Paradise, which was the most devastated community in last month's blaze.
The Butte County Sheriff's office on Sunday said residents of neighborhoods in nearby Magalia were allowed into the area at noon Sunday, and public access would resume 24 hours later.
But the communities may have very limited services, and authorities urged residents to ensure they have food, water and fuel for their vehicles before returning. They also advised residents not to use electric generators because of potential back feeding of current and that fire and utility crews were still working in the area.
Getty Images
San Francisco firefighters dismantle a burned mobile home as they search for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Noah Fisher looks over his home that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 22, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Brandy Powell looks through the remains of her home that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 22, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A view of home destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 22, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Camp Fire evacuee wait in line to receive a free Thanksgiving meal at Sierra Nevada Brewery on November 22, 2018 in Chico, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A search and rescue crew member searches for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 21, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
An air mask hangs on an altar during a vigil for Camp Fire victims at the First Christian Church of Chico on November 18, 2018 in Chico, California. (Photo by Noah Berger-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Mourners pray during a vigil for Camp Fire victims at the First Christian Church of Chico on November 18, 2018 in Chico, California. (Photo by Noah Berger-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Lidia Steineman, who lost her home in the Camp Fire, prays during a vigil for fire victims at the First Christian Church of Chico on November 18, 2018 in Chico, California. (Photo by Noah Berger-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Gov.-elect Gavin Newson, FEMA Director Brock Long, President Donald Trump, Paradise mayor Jody Jones and Gov. Jerry Brown tour the Skyway Villa Mobile Home and RV Park during Trump's visit of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California on November 17, 2018. (Photo by Paul Kitagaki Jr.-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
President Donald Trump, FEMA Director Brock Long, Gov. Jerry Brown, Gov.-elect Gavin Newson and Paradise mayor Jody Jones tour the Skyway Villa Mobile Home and RV Park during Trump's visit of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California on November 17, 2018. (Photo by Paul Kitagaki Jr.-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rescue workers search an area where they discovered suspected human remians in a home destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 16, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A rescue worker and her cadaver dog search the Paradise Gardens apartments for victims of the Camp Fire on November 16, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A car with the words 'Paradise Strong' painted on the window drives through a Walmart parking lot where Camp Fire evacuees have been staying on November 16, 2018 in Chico, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Camp Fire evacuee Kelly Boyer plays guitar in front of his tent next to a Walmart parking on November 16, 2018 in Chico, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A rescue worker uses a cadaver dog to search for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
San Francisco firefighters dismantle a burned mobile home as they search for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A rescue worker uses a cadaver dog to search for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rescue workers search for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rescue workers search for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
(L-R) California Governor Jerry Brown, FEMA Administrator Brock Long and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke tour a school burned by the Camp Fire on November 14, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Camp Fire burns in the hills on November 11, 2018 near Oroville, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A helicopter drops water on the Camp Fire as it burns in the hills on November 11, 2018 near Cresta, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A burned out car sits next gas pumps at a gas station that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 11, 2018 near Parkhill, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A burned gas pump remains at a gas station that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 11, 2018 near Parkhill, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
CSNPhilly.com
Yuba and Butte County sherriff deputies search a destroyed home for a reported victim of the Camp Fire on November 10, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A Butte County sherriff deputy searches the property of a destroyed home for a reported Camp Fire victim on November 10, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A view of a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on November 10, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Eric England holds a jewelry tray in the shape of California that he pulled out of his friend's car that was burned by the Camp Fire on November 10, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Power lines rest on cars that were burned by the Camp Fire on November 10, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Power lines rest on cars that were burned by the Camp Fire on November 10, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Camp Fire burns in the hills on November 10, 2018 near Big Bend, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A line of burned out abandoned cars sit on the road after the Camp Fire moved through the area on November 9, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Firefighters try to keep flames from burning home from spreading to a neighboring apartment complex as they battle the Camp Fire on November 9, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A business that was destroyed by the Camp Fire continues to smolder on November 9, 2018 in Paradise, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Cal Fire Captain Steve Millosovich carries a cage full of cats that were found in the road after the Camp Fire moved through the area on November 9, 2018 in Big Bend, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A Cal Fire firefighter monitors a burning home as the Camp Fire moves through the area on November 9, 2018 in Magalia, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Noah Berger/AP
Flames consume a building as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, California, Nov. 8, 2018. A California fire official says a fast-moving wildfire in Northern California has destroyed structures and injured civilians.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Hospital workers from the Feather River Hospital work in a triage area while evacuating patients as the Camp Fire moves through the area on Nov. 8, 2018 in Paradise, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Hospital workers and first responders evacuate patients from the Feather River Hospital as the Camp Fire moves through the area on Nov. 8, 2018, in Paradise, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A hospital worker embraces her co-worker as they evacuate patients from the Feather River Hospital during the Camp Fire on Nov. 8, 2018, in Paradise, California. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the rapidly spreading Camp Fire has ripped through the town of Paradise and has quickly charred 18,000 acres in a matter of hours.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Embers blow in the wind as the Camp Fire burns down a KFC restaurant on Nov. 8, 2018, in Paradise, California. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the rapidly spreading wildfire has ripped through the town of Paradise, charring 18,000 acres and destroying dozens of homes in a matter of hours.
Noah Berger/AP
A home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise, California, Nov. 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of people fled a fast-moving wildfire Thursday in Northern California, some clutching babies and pets as they abandoned vehicles and struck out on foot ahead of the flames that forced the evacuation of an entire town.
Noah Berger/AP
Flames consume The Screen & Window Shop as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, California, Nov. 8, 2018.
Noah Berger/AP
A home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise, California, Nov. 8, 2018.
Don Thompson/AP
Smoke from the Camp Fire, burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., darkens the sky above the Butte College sig in Oroville, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
David Banks
Smoke from the Camp Fire, burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., darkens the sky on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
David Banks
Smoke from the Camp Fire, burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., darkens the sky on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
Cal Fire
Smoke from the Camp Fire, burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., rises above tall trees on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
Cal Fire
Cal Fire officials responding to the Camp Fire burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
Cal Fire
Cal Fire officials respond to the Camp Fire burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
Cal Fire
Cal Fire officials respond to the Camp Fire burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
The office said late Saturday that the number of people listed missing since the wildfire has dropped to 25. That's about half the people reported missing a day earlier and a fraction of the 1,300 unaccounted for about two weeks ago.
Authorities have been working to account for survivors since thousands of people were forced to flee the devastating Nov. 8 fire that killed 88 people. The blaze all but leveled the town of Paradise and charred nearby communities.
Thousands were forced to flee, and many survivors later scattered to other towns or cities and did not think to tell authorities or relatives that they were safe. Anyone who can't be reached by a friend or relative is put on the county's list until they are tracked down by authorities.
Meanwhile, schools in Butte County were set to welcome back students on Monday. County Superintendent Tim Taylor along with several school dignitaries and public officials will be on hand for a 9:30 a.m. news conference at the Butte County Office of Education, 1859 Bird St. in Oroville.
About 5,000 students were displaced by the fire. In Paradise, three elementary schools will be welcoming all K-5 students while middle and high school students will be taught with online programs for now until a new site can be set up next month. Those students will be able to check in with teachers at drop-in centers at Chico Mall.
For detailed information on lifted evacuations, go to the re-entry website.
