The deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history is nearly 100-percent contained, as searchers continue to look for the remains of victims in America’s wealthiest and most populous state.
Aided by the first measurable rainfall in months, the so-called Camp Fire was 95 percent contained across 154,000 acres, officials from the state’s fire management agency, Cal Fire, said early on Friday.
The wildfire’s devastation has been staggering. At least 84 people died in the wildfire, which started more than two weeks ago, and as many as 560 are believed missing.
The death toll, which is likely to rise, is more than the combined total of the three previous deadliest fires in the state’s history.
Paradise, a town of 27,000, as well as the surrounding areas, was erased by the flames.
Many of those unaccounted in Paradise are elderly. The city was popular with retirees and most of the deceased victims identified by age have been…