Take a look at the pictures that show how North California town of Paradise 'wiped out'...
A fast-moving wildfire roared through a Northern California town on Thursday, with deaths reported as it burned a hospital, hundreds of homes and sent tens of thousands of people fleeing flames in cars and on foot, authorities said. Driven by strong winds and dry conditions, the blaze dubbed the Camp Fire swept through the town of Paradise and threatened its 26,000 residents with 50-foot (15-meter) high flames.
The town of Chico, population 93,000, could be next in the path of the wildfire, which was forecast to be driven westward overnight by 35-mile-per hour (56 km-per-hour) winds, said Butte County Fire Chief Darren Read."We have received reports of some fatalities. Those reports have not yet been verified," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told a news conference.The blaze adds to what is already one of the worst fire years ever in California. Flames have already destroyed 621,743 acres (251,610 hectares), nearly twice the amount during the same period of 2017 and nearly triple the five-year average.
Also Read: California wildfire: Paradise town gutted, hospital destroyed, deaths reported
"It’s very chaotic. It’s a very bad fire,” Officer Ryan Lambert of the California Highway Patrol said of the evacuation. The blaze began early on Thursday and quickly charred 18,000 acres (3,237 hectares), forcing the evacuation of the 27,000 residents of Paradise, about 85 miles (240 km) north of Sacramento, Cal Fire said in a statement.
Take a look at the pictures that show how North California town of Paradise 'wiped out'...
1. Picture 1
)
A home burns as the Camp fire tears through Paradise, California on November 8, 2018. - More than 18,000 acres have been scorched in a matter of hours burning with it a hospital, a gas station and dozens of homes. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP)
2. Picture 2
)
Embers blow in the wind as a Camp Fire burns a KFC restaurant on November 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. The fire is currently at zero containment.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP)
3. Picture 3
)
The Blackbear Diner burns as the Camp fire tears through Paradise, California on November 8, 2018. - More than 18,000 acres have been scorched in a matter of hours burning with it a hospital, a gas station and dozens of homes. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP)
4. Picture 4
)
A flag that says "hot buys" is displayed on a car at a fully involved car dealership as the Camp Fire moves through the area on November 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. The fire is currently at zero containment.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP)
5. Picture 5
)
A burned out car sits in front of a home that was consumed by the Camp Fire on November 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. The fire is currently at zero containment. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP)
6. Picture 6
)
Abandoned burned out cars sit in the middle of the road after the Camp Fire moved through the area on November 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. The fire is currently at zero containment. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP)
7. Picture 7
)
Patients are quickly evacuated from the Feather River Hospital as it burns down during the Camp fire in Paradise, California on November 8, 2018. - More than 18,000 acres have been scorched in a matter of hours burning with it a hospital, a gas station and dozens of homes. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP)
