31 killed, 3,500 homes destroyed in California wildfires

A series of wildfires that broke out Sunday and swept the vast majority of northern California have burned 221,754 acres, with at least 31 people killed and 3,500 homes destroyed, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said Friday.

In a news release obtained by Xinhua from its communication office, CAL FIRE said overnight firefighters continued their battle against 17 wildfires that have burned 221,754 acres. Several of the wildfires merged with other fires, while full containment was made on three other.

Among the fatalities, the highest death count of 17 was recorded in the Tubbs Fire burning in Sonoma County and parts of Napa County, two hardest-hit counties north of San Francisco.

CAL FIRE said a Red Flag Warning has been issued for Friday night when winds are expected to increase again, which are forecast to be stronger than on Thursday with gusts up to 45mh (72 kmh).

At one point overnight, more than 20 fires were burning, but as wildfires grew they combined into 17 statewide Friday.

Cal FIRE said hundreds of additional fire engines and firefighters have begun to arrive from several other states, not only to help relieve crews on the frontlines, but to be ready for possible new wildfires that may ignite during the Red Flag Warnings.

Continued gusty winds, low humidity and higher temperatures threaten to exacerbate already extreme fire conditions in wildfire zones, the National Weather Service warned ahead of a new batch of Red Flag warnings for the North Bay mountains, East Bay hills and Diablo Range.

The statewide wildfires are one of the most damaging in California history, which devastated thousands of homes and business structures, forced tens of thousands of people to be evacuated, and incurred heavy damage to the wineries in northern California.