At least 5 dead in California wildfire

At least five people are confirmed dead in a Northern California wildfire that began Thursday, according to state officials.

Capt. Scott McLean of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told reporters that the blaze grew so quickly that firefighters almost immediately shifted from prevention to evacuation.

“There was really no firefight involved,” he said. “These firefighters were in the rescue mode all day yesterday.”

The nearly 30,000 residents of Paradise, Calif., were ordered to evacuate on Thursday.

The Butte County Sheriff’s department released a statement confirming the five people were found dead in the town.

Their investigation revealed that “the victims were located in vehicles that were overcome by the Camp Fire. Due to burn injuries, identification could not immediately be made.”

Press Release pic.twitter.com/fxyPYIjSEh

— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) November 9, 2018 

The National Weather Service has issued extreme fire danger warnings in many areas of California, saying low humidity and strong winds are expected to continue through the evening.