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| California wildfires: Death toll climbs to 31 | California wildfires: Death toll climbs to 31 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of people confirmed dead in wildfires sweeping northern California has climbed to 31, as officials warned that conditions would worsen. | The number of people confirmed dead in wildfires sweeping northern California has climbed to 31, as officials warned that conditions would worsen. |
| Hundreds of people remain missing as at least 22 fires rampaged across the state's famous wine country. | Hundreds of people remain missing as at least 22 fires rampaged across the state's famous wine country. |
| More than 8,000 firefighters are now battling the flames. | More than 8,000 firefighters are now battling the flames. |
| The wildfires have destroyed more than 3,500 buildings and homes over 190,000 acres (77,000 hectares) and displaced about 25,000 people. | |
| Seventeen people are now confirmed killed in Sonoma County, with another eight in Mendocino County, four in Yuba County and two in Napa County, officials said. | Seventeen people are now confirmed killed in Sonoma County, with another eight in Mendocino County, four in Yuba County and two in Napa County, officials said. |
| The updated casualty figures mean the wildfires are the deadliest in California since 1933, when 29 people died in fires at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. | The updated casualty figures mean the wildfires are the deadliest in California since 1933, when 29 people died in fires at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. |
| Strong winds that have fanned the flames eased in recent days, but forecasters warned they were set to pick up again on Friday night. | Strong winds that have fanned the flames eased in recent days, but forecasters warned they were set to pick up again on Friday night. |
| "We are not even close to being out of this emergency," Mark Ghilarducci, state director of emergency services, told reporters. | "We are not even close to being out of this emergency," Mark Ghilarducci, state director of emergency services, told reporters. |
| State fire chief Ken Pimlott warned of "erratic, shifting winds all weekend". | State fire chief Ken Pimlott warned of "erratic, shifting winds all weekend". |
| Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano said recovery teams with cadaver dogs were searching the smouldering ruins of homes. | Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano said recovery teams with cadaver dogs were searching the smouldering ruins of homes. |
| "We have found bodies that were completely intact, and we have found bodies that were no more than ash and bone," he said. | "We have found bodies that were completely intact, and we have found bodies that were no more than ash and bone," he said. |
| Ten victims, with an average age of 75 years old, have been identified so far, Sheriff Giordano said. | Ten victims, with an average age of 75 years old, have been identified so far, Sheriff Giordano said. |
| Some of the elderly victims were identified by "a piece of metal left from somebody's surgery, like a hip replacement, with an ID number that helped us identify the person", he added. | Some of the elderly victims were identified by "a piece of metal left from somebody's surgery, like a hip replacement, with an ID number that helped us identify the person", he added. |
| It is not yet clear what started the fires on Sunday night, but officials say power lines blown over by strong winds could be the cause. | It is not yet clear what started the fires on Sunday night, but officials say power lines blown over by strong winds could be the cause. |
| One of the greatest threats to life is believed to be around the town of Calistoga, Napa County, where the entire population of 5,000 has been ordered to evacuate. | One of the greatest threats to life is believed to be around the town of Calistoga, Napa County, where the entire population of 5,000 has been ordered to evacuate. |
| Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning warned residents to stay away since rescuers would not be able guarantee their safety. | |
| "You are on your own," said Mayor Canning. | |
| Geyserville, a town of around 800 people, and the community of Boyes Hot Springs, both in Sonoma, were also evacuated. | Geyserville, a town of around 800 people, and the community of Boyes Hot Springs, both in Sonoma, were also evacuated. |
| The huge fires have sent smoke and ash over San Francisco, about 50 miles away, and over some towns and cities even further south. | The huge fires have sent smoke and ash over San Francisco, about 50 miles away, and over some towns and cities even further south. |
| At least 13 Napa Valley wineries have been destroyed, a vintners' trade group says. | At least 13 Napa Valley wineries have been destroyed, a vintners' trade group says. |
| Cannabis plantations in fire-scorched Mendocino County could lose millions as many are uninsured, according to Nikki Lastreto of the local industry association. | 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. | 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 next January. | Though recreational cannabis was legalised in the state in 2016, California's retail market does not open until next January. |