Camp Fire burns over 6,400 structures, becomes most destructive fire in California history

A wind-driven wildfire continues to threaten communities and prompt evacuations after consuming nearly the entire town of Paradise.

The Camp Fire ignited around 6:30 a.m. local time Thursday and has burned 100,000 acres and is 20 percent contained.

As of Saturday morning, the number of structures destroyed was revised to 6,453. That makes it the most destructive individual fire in California history. Previously, the most destructive fire was the Tubbs fire which destroyed 5,636 structures in October of 2017.

Nine fatalities have been confirmed by officials, according to the Associated Press (AP). Three firefighters have also been injured during containment efforts.

Camp Fire in California forces evacuations

AP Photo/Garret Fischer

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Noah Berger/AP

Flames consume a home as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. A California fire official says a fast-moving wildfire in Northern California has destroyed structures and injured civilians.

Noah Berger/AP

A vintage car rests among debris as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

(Photo/@shianalee)

Cars driving through flames as people evacuate from the Camp Fire.

(Photo/@Bugga_since_03)

Smoke from the Camp Fire as seen from North Chico, California.

(Photo/Jason Weinrich)

The sun being obscured by wildfire smoke.

(Twitter Photo/@CAL_FIRE)

Noah Berger/AP

A home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

(Twitter Photo/@JasonHalley_CSU)

(Twitter Photo/@CAL_FIRE)

(Twitter Photo/@JasonHalley_CSU)

(Twitter Photo/@Harrisonfresh)

Nicole Kowalczyke via AP

This photo provided by Nicole Kowalczyke shows a piece of a burned page that fell out of the sky in Chico, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, as the Camp Fire burns nearby.

Noah Berger/AP

Flames burn inside a van as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

AP/Noah Berger

Flames consume a car dealership as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

On Thursday afternoon, a state of emergency was declared in Butte County in response to the growing Camp Fire. On Friday, President Donald Trump approved California's Emergency Declaration, allowing federal assistance to be open to the state due to the wildfires.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. However, on Friday afternoon, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said that it experienced a problem with an electric line near the location where the Camp Fire started, according to the AP. It is unclear if this contributed to the start of the wildfire.

An evacuation order was issued for all of Paradise, home to over 27,000 people, where many had only minutes to flee the rapidly spreading blaze.

"Pretty much the community of Paradise is destroyed, it's that kind of devastation," Cal Fire Capt. Scott McLean said via the AP. "The wind that was predicted came and just wiped it out."

McLean said Friday morning that the blaze had nearly quadrupled in size on Thursday night.

As the Camp Fire grew on Thursday night, evacuation orders expanded into the city of Chico, California, where over 93,000 people live.

The Chico Fire Department said there have been multiple traffic collisions, vehicle fires and medical emergencies.

While the California State University campus in Chico remains safe, classes have been canceled through Thanksgiving.

"After significant and careful consideration of many factors, including fire conditions, air quality, and impacts to our faculty, staff, and students, classes are suspended until Monday, Nov. 26, following the fall break," a statement issued by the university read.

Several shelters have opened for evacuees, but many are quickly filling up.

No traffic is being allowed into the town of Paradise. At least 60 patients were evacuated from the Feather River Hospital.

Multiple road closures were in effect.

"This fire is very dangerous, please evacuate if asked to do so!", Cal Fire officials said on Twitter. Over 2,000 fire personnel are working to control the blaze.

Winds ramping back up later this weekend will threaten to further spread the Camp Fire, as well as the blazes burning in Southern California.