Three dead, 12 missing after Bear Fire burns through Butte County foothills
Three people are reported dead in the Bear Fire that swept through Butte County late Tuesday, and at least 12 other people are unaccounted for, officials said late Wednesday.
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said three people have been found dead – two in one location, a third in another – but said their identities have not been determined and gave no further details.
The California Highway Patrol said two victims were found Wednesday at about 11:40 a.m. at Bald Rock and Greystone roads in Berry Creek, where one person was found inside a vehicle and a second was outside of the vehicle.
The 254,000-acre blaze exploded Tuesday as wind gusts as high as 45 mph swept embers and sparks from the 3-week-old fire into Berry Creek, essentially obliterating the town of about 500 residents.
Honea said officials had received calls seeking help in locating 85 missing people so far, and as of Wednesday 73 had been located.
This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Three dead, 12 missing after Bear Fire burns through Butte County foothills."