3 deaths in 2 wildfires; more possible

Two people have died in the Butte Fire burning in Calaveras County.

Coroner Kevin Raggio said Mark McCloud, 66, who refused to evacuate, died outside his home.

Cadaver dogs located another adult male in the burn area. His name has not been released pending notification of family.

This is the third civilian fire related death this month. Barbara McWilliams, 72, died in the Valley Fire in Lake County.

The Associated Press is reporting that 69-year-old Leonard Neft, who works for the San Jose Mercury News and lives in Middletown, has been reported missing by his family. His burned-out car was discovered on a route he would have used to escape, AP said. He lived near where McWilliams did.

“We have reports of several others that may have perished in the fire,” Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin told the Associated Press during a tour of the disaster zone with state emergency officials.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report