President Obama declares major disaster in California fire as 2 men remain missing

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – President Barack Obama declared a major disaster Tuesday in a Northern California wildfire that has destroyed at least 1,200 homes and killed at least three people.

The declaration issued for the fire that broke out in Lake County 90 miles north of San Francisco releases federal money for recovery and cleanup, including grant money for temporary housing and home repairs.

The devastating wildfire that started Sept. 12 ranks among California’s most destructive and stands at 79 per cent contained with 118 square miles scorched. Thousands of people fled their homes at the peak of the fire, and two men remain missing, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.

Authorities are searching for Robert Litchman, 61, of Middletown and Robert Fletcher, 66, of Cobb.

Sheriff Brian Martin said at a news conference Tuesday that his office had received reports of 15 people missing since the fire started. All have been accounted for except the two men. “We are hopeful these people are located and returned and reunited with their loved ones,” he said.

The fire has claimed the lives of three people. The body of 72-year-old Barbara McWilliams, who used a walker, was found in her burned-down home. The others who died in the Lake County fire are 69-year-old former newspaper reporter Leonard Neft and 65-year-old Bruce Beven Burns.

Several areas remained under evacuation more than a week after the fire’s start as crews continue to clear debris and trees and restore damaged power lines.

The presidential disaster declaration allows residents and business owners to apply for grants for repairs and temporary housing as well as apply for low-cost loans for uninsured property.

California Gov. Jerry Brown requested disaster declarations for the fire in Lake County as well as another destructive wildfire in Calaveras and Amador counties, about 125 miles east of San Francisco. Federal officials are still working on the request for the other fire, said Kelly Huston, deputy director for the governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

That blaze had consumed 110 square miles and was 82 per cent contained Tuesday evening.