STRONG WINDS WHIP UP WILDFIRES AS DEVASTATION WORSENS
THE wildfires tearing through California wine country exploded in size and number yesterday as authorities ordered new evacuations and the death toll climbed to 21 – a figure expected to rise. Three days after the fires began, firefighters were still unable to gain control of the blazes, fuelled by the return of strong winds, that had turned entire Northern California neighbourhoods to ash and destroyed at least 3500 homes and businesses.
The fires have burned through a staggering 686 sq km of urban and rural areas. High winds and low humidity made conditions ideal for fire to ignite virtually anywhere on ground or brush that was parched from years of drought.
Authorities say most of Sonoma County’s 11 victims lived where steep, narrow roads wind through the hillsides with few ways out.
Helicopters, air tankers and nearly 8000 firefighters were trying to beat back the flames.