No fire respite forecast for Calif.

3,500 homes and businesses have been lost amid ‘pure devastation’

The deadly wildfires raging through Northern California’s wine country are getting a destructive boost from high winds moving into the region, another blow to communities reeling from one of the most devastating fire events in U.S. history.

Thursday’s forecast isn’t expected to bring much relief. A “red flag ” warning was issued because of the “very high fire danger,” the National Weather Service in Monterey, Calif., warned. High-elevation areas will see wind gusts in the 45- to 55-mph range, and valley areas should see gusts of 20 to 30 mph, the weather service said.

“This is a serious, critical, catastrophic event,” Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said. “It’s pure devastation, and it’s going to take a while to get out and comb through all this.”

At least 21 people have been killed. the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said fire activity is increasing, torching buildings and forcing evacuations. More than 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed across the iconic wine country

that has become a destination for visitors from around the globe.

The fires have been fueled by dry conditions and, more significantly, gusty winds that carry flames from neighborhood to neighborhood.

“Yesterday was a very aggressive day for fire expansion,” Cal Fire’s deputy commander Barry Biermann said. “We had a lot of wind.”

Air rescue teams have plucked more than 50 people from roofs and mountaintops. Chris Childs of the California Highway Patrol said pets have been included in the rescues. He cautioned that all evacuees must remain patient before returning to their homes.

“I know it’s a tough message to be told you cannot go back to your homes, but I ask for your patience as you deal with officers at those road closures,” Childs said.

More than 250 square miles have burned since Sunday. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fires, but they say the weather has complicated efforts to fight them. Sonoma and Napa counties have taken the brunt of the damage.

Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano said 11 deaths have been confirmed in his county alone.

“When we start doing searches, I would expect that number to go up,” Giordano said. ”The devastation is enormous.”

Giordano said more than 600 reports of missing people have been filed. He said the vast majority were the result of spotty cellphone service and drained phone batteries as residents packed and fled.

Fog and cooler temperatures had descended on the area, but the National Weather Service had little good news for the more than 4,000-plus firefighters battling the blazes for a fourth day.

“No rainfall is forecast for ongoing fires in California,” it said.