Number of Missing in Butte County Wildfire Dwindles to 49
PARADISE (CBS/AP) -- The number of people listed as missing after the catastrophic wildfire in Butte County has been whittled to 49.
The figure announced Friday night by the Butte County Sheriff's Office shows authorities have made significant progress in accounting for survivors of the deadliest wildfire in state history.
Two weeks ago, the number of people listed as unaccounted for was 1,300.
The Nov. 8 wildfire all but leveled the town of Paradise and ravaged neighboring communities. Thousands were forced to flee, and in the aftermath many survivors 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 list and remains there until tracked down by authorities.
On Thursday, officials began imposing nightly curfews to restrict access to public areas left standing after the deadly Camp Fire destroyed most of the town. The curfew does not apply to law enforcement officers, emergency personnel or news reporters.
While residents have not been allowed back into Paradise, evacuees in surrounding communities have been going back with police escorts.
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