Ash from charred land blankets California

Hundreds of firefighters struggled to weaken a series of Northern California fires, aided by morefavourable weather but still unable to contain an arc of flames that has killed 17 people, destroyed more than 2000 buildings and battered the region’s lifeblood wine industry.

The fast-moving fires swept through densely populated neighbourhoods, causing some residents to flee from their homes in the middle of the night as smoke filled their rooms.

One couple had to jump into their pool as flames rushed across their land, taking occasional gasps for air as flames lapped at their backs.

Officials said that 180 people are missing and they expect the death toll to rise.

High winds that whipped up 17 large fires faded and humidity increased. But officials warned that the sharp northern wind, known as a Diablo, would return as soon as today.

More than 25,000 people fled homes from seven counties north of San Francisco, filling dozens of shelters.

Millions of Californians saw their lawns covered in ash and air filled with smoke.

Many schools were forced to keep students inside and air quality agencies issued smoke advisories calling on residents to limit outdoor activity.

At Disneyland, visitors snapped photos of hazy, orange skies that gave an ominous glow. Ash fell like snow over seaside Southern California communities more than a dozen kilometres from the fires.