Update: After this post was published, Chico Enterprise-Record Editor David Little confirmed Gary Putty and Dan Sloane were found safe. A third employee, Sarah Relase of Paradise, was also found safe. The original story follows below…
Two employees of the Chico Enterprise-Record newspaper are among the dozens of people reported missing after a massive wildfire tore through a California town last week.
On Sunday, Chico Enterprise-Record Editor David Little confirmed the newspaper had not heard from employees Garry Putty of Sterling City and Dan Sloane of Magalia since the Camp Fire ignited on Thursday. Both towns are near the Butte County community of Paradise where 23 people died and thousands of buildings have been destroyed in what officials are confirming to be the most-destructive wildfire in California’s history.
Family members reported both men missing to local television station KRCR (Channel 7) earlier in the week.
More than 100 people remain unaccounted for, according to information bulletins posted at community centers and evacuation shelters in the area.
Over 8,000 firefighters are working to contain the massive blaze, which grew to more than 100,000 acres as of Sunday evening. The fire’s rapid spread was triggered by gusty winds and low humidity levels during a Red Flag Warning that blanketed the area.
