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California wildfires: Calistoga evacuated amid blazes | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
California officials have ordered an entire city to evacuate as "conditions have worsened" in the wildfires that have killed 23 people. | |
All residents of Calistoga were directed to leave the area on Wednesday evening, Napa County officials said. | |
About 60 prison inmates have joined hard-pressed firefighters in battling the fast-moving blazes, the state fire chief says. | |
Among the areas scorched by the 22 blazes are marijuana farms. | |
'Explosive vegetation' | |
In Wednesday evening's evacuation of Calistoga, in Napa County, all 5,000 residents were told to leave and police blocked traffic from approaching the area. | |
And traffic quickly clogged the exits from Boyes Hot Springs in Sonoma County as that community was also told to evacuate the advancing wall of flame. | |
"It's going to continue to get worse before it gets better," state fire Chief Ken Pimlott said. | |
He warned that the death toll could rise further. | He warned that the death toll could rise further. |
"We are still impacted by five years of drought. These fires were driven by the critically dry fuel bed. We are literally looking at explosive vegetation," he added. | "We are still impacted by five years of drought. These fires were driven by the critically dry fuel bed. We are literally looking at explosive vegetation," he added. |
The devastating wildfires, which brought wind gusts of up to 45mph (72km/h), have destroyed at least 3,500 buildings and homes. | |
Renewed high winds are fanning the "catastrophic" blazes, said state fire officials, which are spreading unpredictably in their fourth day. | |
Firefighters are going door to door in the state's wine-producing region, evacuating those who are left behind ahead of the next wave of blazes. | |
Investigators are also searching shelters to locate nearly 300 missing people, though police say they may have scattered amid the chaos. | |
The fires are among the deadliest in California's history and have sent smoke as far south as San Francisco, about 60 miles (100km) away. | |
More than 200 fire engines and crews are being rushed to California from the rest of the US, officials said. | More than 200 fire engines and crews are being rushed to California from the rest of the US, officials said. |
Mr Pimlott said 73 helicopters, 30 air tankers and nearly 8,000 firefighters were currently battling the blazes. | Mr Pimlott said 73 helicopters, 30 air tankers and nearly 8,000 firefighters were currently battling the blazes. |
The fires have reduced entire neighbourhoods in the city of Santa Rosa, a city of 175,000 people, to ash. | |
At least 13 of the deaths have occurred in Sonoma County, officials say. Some 25,000 people across the county have been evacuated and 40,000 homes are without power. | At least 13 of the deaths have occurred in Sonoma County, officials say. Some 25,000 people across the county have been evacuated and 40,000 homes are without power. |
Six people have died in Mendocino County, two in Yuba County and two in Napa County, officials told told the Los Angeles Times. | Six people have died in Mendocino County, two in Yuba County and two in Napa County, officials told told the Los Angeles Times. |
Cannabis plantations in fire-scorched Mendocino County could lose millions as many are uninsured, according to Nikki Lastreto of the local industry association. | |
Marijuana farmers cannot insure their businesses since federal law bans the drug. | |
Though recreational cannabis was legalised in the state in 2016, California's retail market does not open until January 2018. | |
This means some farmers who have invested millions may be left without a business once the smoke clears. | |
At least four wineries have suffered "total or very significant losses", Napa Valley Vintners said, with nine others reporting some damage to buildings or vineyards. | At least four wineries have suffered "total or very significant losses", Napa Valley Vintners said, with nine others reporting some damage to buildings or vineyards. |