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Death toll from California wildfires rises to 59 as crews gain control

By Nicholas Sakelaris and Allen Cone
Deadly wildfires ravage California
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Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The death toll rose to 59 as rescuers combed through the landscape charred by wildfires in Northern and Southern California, finding nine more victims.

In the Camp Fire in Northern California, already the deadliest fire in the state's history, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Wednesday night eight additional bodies were found, all in the town of Paradise -- bringing the fire's toll to 56. Three others have died in Southern California's Woolsey Fire, including one more Wednesday.

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Officials called in 100 National Guard troops to search burned out buildings and cars. The goal is to find more remains before allowing residents to return.

"We're going to do everything we possibly can to search," Honea said.

Altogether, 240,000 acres -- or 375 square miles -- have burned in three fires, destroying more than 9,200 structures since last week. Firefighters saw a brief respite as they gained the upper hand on the wind-blown fires Wednesday. The Woolsey Fire is more than 50 percent contained and the Camp Fire is 35 percent contained, officials said late Wednesday.

Butte County Sheriff's Office published a list of more than 100 missing people.

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The fire has destroyed more than 8,700 homes and 260 commercial structures, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Wednesday night.

"The entire community of Paradise is a toxic wasteland right now," City Councilor Melissa Schuster told ABC News.

It's been 212 days since Butte County has received any rain, and the dry conditions could cause flare-ups. There is no rain in the forecast for the next week.

"We are not out of the woods yet. We still have tough conditions," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said.

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