Sept. 23--REPORTING FROM LOCH LOMOND, Calif. -- As firefighters continued to advance on the deadly wildfires in Northern California, President Obama declared a major disaster for the Valley fire.
The move frees up federal assistance for home repairs, replacements and other aid. Gov. Jerry Brown requested the declaration this week.
Meanwhile, authorities continued their efforts to locate two men who went missing in one of the most destructive -- the Valley fire.
Sheriff's officials said they are now using cadaver dogs to assist in the search for Robert Litchman, 61, of Middletown, and Robert Fletcher, 66, of Cobb.
Authorities remain "hopeful that these people are relocated and returned and reunited with their loved ones," Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said.
The Valley fire -- which destroyed an estimated 1,238 single-family homes, 23 multi-family homes and hundreds of other structures -- is now the third most-destructive wildfire in California history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. As of Tuesday morning, it had burned 76,067 acres and was 75% contained.
Three people are confirmed to have died in the Valley fire, which started Sept. 12.
On Tuesday, Martin said that six missing people had been found within the last 24 hours and that Litchman and Fletcher are the only people who remain unaccounted for.
Thousands of firefighters battling the Valley fire and the Butte fire burning in Calaveras and Amador counties made significant progress Tuesday.
"Overnight, firefighters made gains mopping up hot spots and strengthening control lines," Cal Fire officials said in a statement. "Today, firefighters will continue to construct control lines and repair alterations to the landscape that resulted from earlier suppression operations."
The Butte fire was reported to be 80% contained and had burned 70,868 acres, according to Cal Fire. That blaze, which has destroyed an estimated 545 residences and hundreds of other structures, is the seventh-most destructive wildfire in California history, according to Cal Fire.
Two deaths have been attributed to the Butte fire.
Brown on Monday asked Obama for a national disaster declaration that would open the door for federal aid to victims of the Valley and Butte fires. In his request, Brown called the wildland fires "megafires" that he said "expand quickly and unpredictably, thriving on dead trees, dry vegetation and wind conditions."
"Four years of extreme drought conditions have parched our landscapes and created millions of dead trees that have increased California's vulnerability to these types of fires," Brown wrote.
Both the Valley and Butte fires, which are still burning, continue to threaten thousands of structures, according to Cal Fire.
Damage assessments by state and federal teams of the Valley fire were completed Sunday, which set the groundwork for Monday's request that could lead to federal assistance with loans and housing.
Hundreds of residents displaced by the Valley fire have been returning to their home in recent days as firefighters lift evacuation orders.
In Loch Lomond, a mountain community of about 400, residents said they relied on each other to stay safe. Some of them said they failed to receive warnings from authorities about the fire.
On the day the Valley fire broke out, Kevin Sargent sprinted over to his neighbor's house and helped an 86-year-old woman evacuate.
"Carol was looking for her teeth. I said 'Carol, that's what your obituary's going to say! Let's go!'" Sargent said.
Wayne Casey remembers a sheriff's deputy yelling something into a bullhorn that day he couldn't understand, until he called a friend, who translated.
"Get out, get out! The fire's coming!"
At Sargent's home, the only signs of the fire are some scorched leaves floating in the kiddie pool he uses as a watering dish for his 20 cats. He points out a black carpet of scorched earth that stops a few hundred feet from his property. A neighbor had cut a fire break in front of his home, and he believes that saved it.
"I feel guilty that our home survived. I don't want to be the only house on the street," Sargent said "But I'll take it."
In the tiny town of Anderson Springs, signs of a rushed evacuation were everywhere Sunday. At the recreation center and swimming hole, a deflated pool lounger was slumped over a picnic table. Nearby was a parked white Toyota Tacoma, where goggles had been discarded in the front seat. A pair of towels was draped over a railing next to some flip-flops and a burst bag of groceries.
A community bulletin board featured a notice for a community meeting about wildfire danger, dated Sept. 19 -- a week after the town was leveled by fire.
The Valley and Butte fires are among nine wildfires burning in the state, according to Cal Fire.
One person was killed in the fast-moving Tassajara fire, which started Saturday afternoon near Jamesburg in Monterey County. The 1,086-acre blaze has burned 10 homes and numerous outbuildings. The blaze is 65% contained.
Fire conditions could worsen later this week as temperatures and winds increase across the state, Cal Fire said.
Times staff writers Rocha and Branson-Potts reported from Los Angeles, St. John from Sacramento and Shyong from Loch Lomond.
For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA, @paigestjohn and @frankshyong.
UPDATE
6:26 p.m.: This post has been updated with information about President Obama's declaration.
4:12 p.m.: This post has been updated throughout with new figures and information about the 2 missing men.
This post was originally published at 8:08 a.m.
Sign upPrivacy Policy
