Many large fires broke out on Sunday and continued to rage on Monday in the northern California state, mainly in the counties of Napa and Sonoma, which are famous for their vineyards, with local authorities speaking of ten dead and announcing removing thousands of citizens from their homes.
Winds of more than 80 kilometers north of San Francisco Bay have spread to several fronts and "as we speak, more than 14 very large fires are burning in eight counties," said Ken Pimlot, head of the California service. forests and fire protection, during a press conference in Sacramento, northeast of San Francisco.
According to the California Fire Department, nearly 300.000 acres have been turned into apocalypses since Sunday night in the northern part of the state. A total of ten people were killed. Seven of them in Sonoma, according to the county sheriff's office, two in Napa County, while one death has been recorded in Mentosino County.
At least 1.500 homes and businesses were destroyed in the blaze, according to the fire department.
The sky had darkened on Monday afternoon from smoke in Santa Rosa and its environs, in Sonoma County, a photojournalist of the French Agency found, who saw "many houses", cars and vineyards that had been charred.
According to footage broadcast by local television stations, hotel complexes in the area were also damaged by the fires.
"Almost all the efforts (of the rescue teams) last night and this morning (Sunday night and Monday morning) involved removing the residents from the danger," Pimlot said.
Orders for the immediate removal of residents were issued for areas in the counties of Napa and Sonoma, while authorities announced that the affected accommodation had been made available.
California Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in eight counties. According to the statement, the fires "continue to threaten thousands of homes" and "make it necessary to evacuate thousands of residents" from their homes. Authorities have also ordered the closure of highways and local roads.
It was also decided to close the regional hospital in Santa Rosa, according to its website, which states that "all patients are safe and sound and have been transferred to other hospitals".
Smoke was visible Monday afternoon in the center of San Francisco, 60 km from the nearest fire front. A very strong smell of smoke was also felt in the city, even in the houses.
Fires have also broken out south, mostly in Anaheim, near Los Angeles, where six houses were partially or completely destroyed and more than 1.000 people had to be evacuated.
Los Angeles was already hit by "the biggest fire in its history" in September, according to authorities.
Source: Newsbeast.gr