California wildfire death Toll hit 59 , Fire now 40 Percent Contained

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The death toll from devastating wildfires in California rose to 59 Thursday as authorities searched for dozens of people who remained missing in the aftermath of the blazes.

In Northern California, authorities said cooler temperatures were helping crews gain ground as they fought the deadly Camp Fire, now 40 percent contained. The deadliest blaze in the state's history has spanned nearly 570 square kilometers (220 square miles).


In Paradise, a town virtually wiped out last week soon after the fire started, hundreds of people, along with cadaver dogs, were searching for bodies amid the ashes. Officials said they hoped a Rapid DNA analysis technique would help speed the identification of victims and notification of their families.

California Gov. Jerry Brown, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, visited the area Wednesday. Brown blamed climate change and drought for the massive blaze, while Zinke cautioned against assigning blame to any one factor.

A photo of what the area looked like before is placed on the remains of a building leveled in the Woolsey Fire at decimated Paramount Ranch, during U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's visit to the ranch, Nov. 15, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.
A photo of what the area looked like before is placed on the remains of a building leveled in the Woolsey Fire at decimated Paramount Ranch, during U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's visit to the ranch, Nov. 15, 2018, in Agoura Hills, Calif.
"Now is not the time to point fingers," he said, saying dead trees, higher temperatures and poor forest management were among the causes.

Long said it would take years for residents of Paradise to rebuild, if they choose to do so.

Wildfires are common in California, particularly at this time of year when warm, dry winds help fan the flames. Close to 8,800 homes have been destroyed in Northern California.