California wildfires: Residents share images of missing loved ones and pets as search for hundreds continues
residents are posting large numbers of photographs of loved ones and pets online as massive wildfires rip through California - becoming the state's deadliest and most destructive blazes on record.
The pictures revealed residents and animals who remained missing after thousands were displaced in wildfires that began last week in the state’s northern and southern regions, tearing through Malibu and Ventura County, as well as the Camp Fire that killed at least 29 people as of Monday.
As the photos went viral over the weekend and into Monday, firefighters continued search and rescue operations for the more than 200 missing victims throughout the state.
One Twitter user shared images of three missing family members, including a 96-year-old and his wife who lived in Paradise, California. “We know it was burned to the ground,” she wrote of the couple’s home. “We have not heard from them since prior to the start of the fire.”
hello everyone! it would mean the world to me if you guys could spread this post; my grandfather along with his wife have been missing since the start of the Paradise fire if anyone has any info pls dm me #CampFire #CampFireJamesWoods #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/cPeqNHe6cA
— chrissy (@_chrissyabbott) November 11, 2018
Others posted photos of grandparents, including an 82-year-old woman still missing after the fire in Paradise, as well as dogs, many of which had been sent to local shelters, where they have reportedly been held for a few days in the hopes their owners will locate them.
If not, those animals will likely go up for adoption in the coming weeks.
Do you recognize this boxer puppy?
He was found this morning at The Calabasas Commons, presumably because of the fires.
He was brought to the Pierce College evacuation center (where animals are welcome) but he’s missing his human partner. Spread the word! 🤞 pic.twitter.com/ocGTTHcjOH— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) November 9, 2018
Missing Grandma Alert: Patty Henderson, age 82, missing in #Paradise fire. Last seen at 5845 Kibler Road, Paradise CA 95969, she lives alone and has no cell phone. Please help and retweet! Contact @Jenastarrs with info#CampFire #RedCross #MISSINGPERSON pic.twitter.com/atUSnwSatz
— RedNGoldRush (@magicwkr15) November 9, 2018
MISSING IN THE CAMPOS CAMP FIRE PLS HELP US FIND HER !!! pic.twitter.com/MwzXpsuIfS
— Hailz (@haileyhansennn) November 10, 2018
Please share!!!
We are searching for Joyce Roberts. She lives in Paradise, CA and has been missing since the fire destroyed her town. #Paradise #missing #CampFireJamesWoods #CampFire pic.twitter.com/xX63McYEYu— Ginger K (@gingerwashere) November 10, 2018
#CAMPFIREJAMESWOODS ‼️ATTENTION ‼️ My Grandfather is missing in Paradise, CA in the wake of the fire spreading up North. My family has had no contact with him. He is about 6,1 in person. His name is Ron Williams. If seen please DM me. pic.twitter.com/LTDqKrGXr6
— Lynae Bennett (@LynaeBennett) November 9, 2018
#missing #CampfireJamesWoods #SoCalFires #Wooleyfire SHANE FOGEL Lives that Triunfo Canyon Rd. hasn’t been seen since the fire started Please contact Johnson’s pic.twitter.com/frhEbu72NE
— shannondm (@emailshannon) November 12, 2018
has not been heard from since evacuation orders were mandated in Malibu. If anyone has any advise or missing persons pages associated with the Woosley fire please let me know. Our family is searching. Cacilia Tolles, we are missing you. pic.twitter.com/QRF04NXEHR
— Melissa Bottorff (@MommyBottorff) November 12, 2018
Horses evacuated from a fire in Malibu are tied up at lifeguard stations on Zuma Beach while dogs and deer roam burned out neighborhoods in Paradise as firefighters battle raging blazes across California
📷Robyn Beck and Josh Edelson pic.twitter.com/qoi3i8GBqD— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 12, 2018
California residents near the fires are being told to leave buckets of water out
for the animals that are trying to escape the flames! 🙏🏼
Many people were unable to save their horses and had to leave them behind! pic.twitter.com/0S3KQBe5Fs— Dean Holmes (@DeanH2014) November 12, 2018
Many of the images shared came from seemingly young Twitter users who were posting photos of their older relatives, many of them grandparents who lacked mobile phones and other forms of communication.
Deputies were visiting shelters to look for any missing persons who had been reported by their families, while spotty call service throughout the weekend made it a more difficult feat to locate those who were equipped with cellphones or other methods of contact, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Many of the missing people had reportedly not been heard from since the start of the fires.
Horses dislocated by the blaze were also discovered by firefighters and local residents who battled the fires and later posted photos of the rescued animals to alert their owners of their safety.
Many of the photos quickly went viral on Monday as the focus shifted from battling back the flames to paving a road to recovery.
However, things may not be over yet. Reports indicate strong winds may once again pick up over the week, increasing the threat of the fires as firefighters work around the clock to maintain the size and scope of destruction.