At least 15 dead as wildfires torch California wine country
11 Oct 2017 5:18 PM IST11 Oct 2017 5:18 PM IST
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said 17 large fires were continuing to burn on Tuesday.
Firefighters battled wildfires in California's wine region on Tuesday as the death toll rose to 15 and thousands were left homeless in neighborhoods reduced to ashes.- About 25,000 people have been evacuated in Sonoma County alone, the department said, and 5,000 have sought refuge in shelters.
- Forty-five had been located and the department said it was confident that many of the rest would be found safe.
- Among the dead were a couple aged 99 and 100-years-old from Napa who had been married for 75 years, KTVU-TV said.
- US President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in California, freeing up federal funding and resources to help fight the 17 large wildfires in the western state.
- The fires have torched more than 115,000 acres (46,500 hectares) and destroyed over 2,000 homes and businesses, according to the authorities.
- The state fire prevention agency Calfire forecast strong winds for Wednesday, which could fan the fires.
- Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in eight counties -- including wine-producing Napa and Sonoma.
- Dixon told AFP that his own neighborhood was spared when the fire \"miraculously\" changed direction but many others were not so fortunate.
Firefighters battled wildfires in California\'s wine region on Tuesday as the death toll rose to 15 and thousands were left homeless in neighborhoods reduced to ashes.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said 17 large fires were continuing to burn on Tuesday.
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