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| California fires: Deadly wildfires sweep through wine country | California fires: Deadly wildfires sweep through wine country |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Parts of California's wine region are being ravaged by fast-spreading fires that have killed at least 10 people. | Parts of California's wine region are being ravaged by fast-spreading fires that have killed at least 10 people. |
| Mass evacuations have taken place and at least 1,500 properties have been destroyed. Seven people were killed in Sonoma county, authorities said. | Mass evacuations have taken place and at least 1,500 properties have been destroyed. Seven people were killed in Sonoma county, authorities said. |
| About 20,000 people fled from Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties after some of the state's worst-ever wildfires broke out. | About 20,000 people fled from Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties after some of the state's worst-ever wildfires broke out. |
| The governor of California has declared an emergency. | The governor of California has declared an emergency. |
| "These fires have destroyed structures and continue to threaten thousands of homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents," the declaration said. | "These fires have destroyed structures and continue to threaten thousands of homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents," the declaration said. |
| Along with the deaths in Sonoma county, two people were killed in Napa county and one in Mendocino county when thousands of acres burned in one valley. | Along with the deaths in Sonoma county, two people were killed in Napa county and one in Mendocino county when thousands of acres burned in one valley. |
| Further injuries have been reported and some people are said to be missing. | |
| Marian Williams of Kenwood, Sonoma county, said she and her neighbours had fled the flames in a convoy of vehicles. | |
| "It was an inferno like you've never seen before," she told broadcaster NBC. | |
| The head of California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Kim Pimlott, said that about 1,500 buildings had already been destroyed. | The head of California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Kim Pimlott, said that about 1,500 buildings had already been destroyed. |
| It is not yet known how the fires started on Sunday night. | It is not yet known how the fires started on Sunday night. |
| Napa county's fire chief warned that conditions were hindering firefighting efforts, as further resources were brought in from across the state. | |
| Dozens of vineyard workers were reportedly airlifted to safety overnight. | Dozens of vineyard workers were reportedly airlifted to safety overnight. |
| The fires are particularly fast-spreading because of the combination of high winds, low humidity and hot, dry weather. | The fires are particularly fast-spreading because of the combination of high winds, low humidity and hot, dry weather. |
| The National Weather Service has issued a warning for the San Francisco area that "any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly". | The National Weather Service has issued a warning for the San Francisco area that "any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly". |
| One vineyard owner told the LA Times that he thought his property was likely destroyed after he and his family escaped from a fire late on Sunday night. | One vineyard owner told the LA Times that he thought his property was likely destroyed after he and his family escaped from a fire late on Sunday night. |
| "There was no wind, then there would be a rush of wind and it would stop. Then there would be another gust from a different direction. The flames wrapped around us," Ken Moholt-Siebert said. | "There was no wind, then there would be a rush of wind and it would stop. Then there would be another gust from a different direction. The flames wrapped around us," Ken Moholt-Siebert said. |
| "I was just being pelted with all this smoke and embers. | "I was just being pelted with all this smoke and embers. |
| "It was just really fast." | "It was just really fast." |
| The California fire service estimates that more than 70,000 acres have already been destroyed in at least 14 fires, making it one of the most destructive outbreaks California has seen. | |
| In September the Californian city of Los Angeles suffered the largest wildfires in its history. | In September the Californian city of Los Angeles suffered the largest wildfires in its history. |
| Are you in the areas of California affected by these fires? If it is safe for you to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in the areas of California affected by these fires? If it is safe for you to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| 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 use the form below | Or use the form below |