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| California wildfires: 23,000 people displaced from homes | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The governor of California has declared a state of emergency after wildfires forced about 23,000 people to flee their homes in the north of the state. | |
| Governor Jerry Brown said the fires, which have left one person dead, destroyed and threatened buildings in the Napa and Lake counties. | Governor Jerry Brown said the fires, which have left one person dead, destroyed and threatened buildings in the Napa and Lake counties. |
| More than 1,300 people fled Middletown, north of San Francisco, as their homes were consumed by the flames. | More than 1,300 people fled Middletown, north of San Francisco, as their homes were consumed by the flames. |
| Four firefighters who were badly burned are receiving treatment in hospital. | Four firefighters who were badly burned are receiving treatment in hospital. |
| Wildfires were still burning on Monday after earlier the fires ruined homes and apartment blocks over the weekend. | Wildfires were still burning on Monday after earlier the fires ruined homes and apartment blocks over the weekend. |
| A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection official could not provide details on the person who died. | A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection official could not provide details on the person who died. |
| Up to 1,000 structures, which includes barns and sheds, have been burned, fire agency spokesman Daniel Berlant said. | Up to 1,000 structures, which includes barns and sheds, have been burned, fire agency spokesman Daniel Berlant said. |
| The fires across northern California are being blamed on high temperatures and years of drought. | The fires across northern California are being blamed on high temperatures and years of drought. |
| The state spent $212m (£137m) fighting the flames in July alone, California's forestry and fire protection department spokesman Daniel Berlant told the AFP news agency. | The state spent $212m (£137m) fighting the flames in July alone, California's forestry and fire protection department spokesman Daniel Berlant told the AFP news agency. |
| He said more than 275 homes and other buildings had been destroyed and the Red Cross is opening emergency shelters for evacuated residents. | He said more than 275 homes and other buildings had been destroyed and the Red Cross is opening emergency shelters for evacuated residents. |
| One blaze, the Valley Fire, which started on Saturday in Lake County, is said to have burned 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares). | One blaze, the Valley Fire, which started on Saturday in Lake County, is said to have burned 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares). |
| It was reported to have reached the centre of the small town of Middletown on Sunday. Its 1,500 residents had already been ordered to evacuate. | It was reported to have reached the centre of the small town of Middletown on Sunday. Its 1,500 residents had already been ordered to evacuate. |
| The fire spread quickly and witnesses saw flames reach up to 200ft (60m) in the air, according to local news reports. | The fire spread quickly and witnesses saw flames reach up to 200ft (60m) in the air, according to local news reports. |
| Further east, in Amador and Calaveras counties, around 4,000 firefighters are battling the Butte Fire, which broke out on Wednesday. | Further east, in Amador and Calaveras counties, around 4,000 firefighters are battling the Butte Fire, which broke out on Wednesday. |
| That blaze has so far destroyed around 65,000 acres (26,300 hectares) along with 86 homes and 51 outbuildings. It is only 15% contained and threatens more than 6,000 other buildings, officials say. | That blaze has so far destroyed around 65,000 acres (26,300 hectares) along with 86 homes and 51 outbuildings. It is only 15% contained and threatens more than 6,000 other buildings, officials say. |
| Further south, beyond Fresno, firefighters have been tackling the largest of the blazes, the so-called Rough Fire, which has claimed 128,800 acres (52,000 hectares) since it began in late July. | Further south, beyond Fresno, firefighters have been tackling the largest of the blazes, the so-called Rough Fire, which has claimed 128,800 acres (52,000 hectares) since it began in late July. |
| Nearly 3,000 firefighters are tackling that blaze, which is now said to be 29% contained. | Nearly 3,000 firefighters are tackling that blaze, which is now said to be 29% contained. |
| They have evacuated the Kings Canyon National Park and working to protect the park's famous grove of Giant Sequoia trees. | They have evacuated the Kings Canyon National Park and working to protect the park's famous grove of Giant Sequoia trees. |
| Are you in northern California? Are you affected by the wildfires? If it is safe to do so, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Are you in northern California? Are you affected by the wildfires? If it is safe to do so, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or, you can comment here: | Or, you can comment here: |