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Relief, Anguish As Wall Fire Evacuees Receive News On Whether Their Homes Survived

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Tuesday, July 11, 2017 | Sacramento, CA
Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

People lined up on Tuesday July 11 in Oroville to find out if homes burned in the Wall Fire.

Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

Residents evacuated due to the Wall Fire braced for news Tuesday afternoon on whether their homes survived. While some evacuation orders remain, containment for the blaze has grown to 55 percent. 

On Tuesday, CAL FIRE confirmed homes were destroyed. Inspectors mapped 41 homes and 46 other buildings.

Dozens of people lined up at the Oroville Municipal Auditorium to find out if their homes were on the CAL FIRE list.

James Baker assumed his house was a total loss and was overwhelmed when told it had been spared.

"Well, from what my neighbor told me, he told me that my house had burned down and I couldn't go up there," said Baker while sobbing. " I'm happy now."

For Rich Snelson the news wasn't so good.

"They came in and they said, 'Good news! The house is standing.' And I said, 'You're crazy!' So, they talked to the cops and said, 'He's right, it burned down,'" Snelson said. "They just had their paperwork crossed."

Dean Clendenen was one of dozens in line to find out for sure if he had a home. He says fire threatened it twice in the last four years.  

"We evacuated both times and it missed us both times. But, this time, it got it," he says.

Government agencies were on hand in Oroville Tuesday to provide information for people who plan to rebuild.

David Dewey is grateful for his good fortune.

"It appears like I kept my childhood Model A and the house and my toy train collection might still be there," Dewey says.

CAL FIRE has rescinded some evacuation orders for areas outside the fire lines and is expected to lift more once Pacific Gas and Electric restores power and cuts down several hundred trees. 


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    More about wildfire

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California Wildfires: Latest Updates

    CapRadio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state, and resources for listeners to help prepare, follow and respond to fire.

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  • Firefighters Near Final Stages Of Battling Wall Fire

    Thursday, July 13, 2017
    As Oroville residents return to their homes, some damaged or destroyed by the Wall Fire, many are in a place of recovery. Oroville Mayor Linda Dahlmeier joins Capital Public Radio’s Bob Moffitt to respond and reflect on the crisis.
  • Noah Berger / AP

    Containment Grows As Crews Continue To Battle Wall Fire

    Tuesday, July 11, 2017
    Nearly 1,700 firefighters are continuing to battle the Wall Fire burning east of Oroville in Butte County. The fire has blackened 5,800 acres and is 55 percent contained.
  • Noah Berger / AP

    Wall Fire Burns 5,600 Acres; State Of Local Emergency Declared For Butte County

    Sunday, July 9, 2017
    UPDATE 9:05 p.m. Sunday, July 9: A state of emergency has been declared in Butte County due to the Wall Fire.

 wildfireswildfireWall Fire

Bob Moffitt

Former Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reported on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.  Read Full Bio 

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