1 Death Toll Rises In Camp Fire, List Of Missing Explodes
The Camp Fire in Northern California continues to grow – and fire officials put the blaze at 150-thousand acres. And as more bodies have been recovered, bringing the death toll to 80 – the human toll is so much greater. Thousands of homes have been destroyed – and more than 1200 people are listed as missing. While the blaze was 65% contained at last check, increasing winds mean things can easily shift. Farther south in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, firefighters hope to have the Woolsey fire fully contained in the coming days. That blaze has scorched nearly 97-thousand acres and is 88-percent contained. That blaze has killed three people in Malibu and destroyed more than eleven-hundred homes and other structures. And you’d think that forecasts of rain would bring relief to firefighters – but you’d be wrong. The National Weather Service says up to four inches of rain is expected to fall in Northern the area tomorrow through Friday. The problem with that? The rain also brings the potential for mudslides on slopes where vegetation was burned away. Up to two inches of rain is also expected in Southern California.
2 President Trump Tours California's Fire Damage
President Trump is thanking first responders and government officials for making quick calls to evacuate and saving a lot of lives as the Camp and Woolsey Fires were burning through Southern California. Joined by California Governor Jerry Brown, Trump toured some of the damage in California – examining what remains of Paradise after the Camp Fire nearly destroyed all of that 27-thousand resident mountain town in Northern California. He also visited some locations in Malibu. And while his previous talk on Twitter was rough – threatening to cut funds to the Golden State, Governor Brown told reporters he’s been assured by President Trump that federal funding will remain – referring to it as a "big, big win." To that end, FEMA Administrator Brock Long said his agency is already working on ways to mitigate the increased mudslide risk because of the fires burning vegetation on hills.
3 Election Updates: FL & GA
The results are FINALLY in when it comes to some of the most closely watched – and debated – elections. The big headlines?
Florida Senator Bill Nelson is conceding to Republican Governor Rick Scott in the state's senate race. In a video message, Nelson says he may have lost this race, but he still feels victorious because he's had the privilege of serving the people of Florida. Also in Florida, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is also conceding, again. You might recall that he conceded, then rescinded…before agreeing to let the recount stand. The Democrat admitted the Republican Congressman has won the race to be Florida's next governor. He made the announcement in a Facebook video. Gillum congratulated DeSantis on becoming the governor.
In Georgia? Stacey Abrams accepts that she lost to former Secretary of State Brian Kemp…well, sort of. Abrams accepts the vote count, but believes there was interference. On CNN's State of the Union, the former Democratic candidate says she believes "there was a deliberate and intentional disinvestment" over a period of years. She says "under the watch of the now former Secretary of State, democracy failed Georgia, Georgians of every political party, every race, and every region."