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.

The wildfires have destroyed more than 3,500 buildings and homes over 170,000 acres (68,800 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.

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.

“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”.

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.

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.

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Source: BBC

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Thousands of people have been left homeless by the 22 huge blazes, which are spreading fast and unpredictably.

Nearly 300 people are missing, but police say that may be due to the chaotic nature of evacuations.

Entire towns in the state’s wine-producing region have been abandoned.

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.

“This is a serious, critical, catastrophic event. We’re not going to be out of the woods for a great number of days to come,” said fire chief Ken Pimlott.

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.

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.

The fires have reduced entire neighbourhoods in the city of Santa Rosa, a city of 175,000 people, to ashes.

The evacuated towns include Calistoga in Napa County, where all 5,000 were told to leave and police stopped all traffic trying to approach the area.

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.

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Source: BBC

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The surprise announcement also granted the army sweeping powers to enforce its decision.

The military insisted it was not a coup. Soldiers have taken over TV and radio stations, and blocked off roads in the capital, Bangkok.

Martial law comes after months of escalating tensions between the government and the opposition.

Correspondents say the move could enrage supporters of the government, especially if it is seen as amounting to a coup. The army has staged at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

‘No need to panic’

Soldiers have moved into the main government building in Bangkok, which has been unoccupied following months of violent demonstrations by opponents who want to be rid of an administration they say is corrupt.

The military has also ordered media censorship in the interests of “national security”.

Both pro and anti-government protesters have been told not to march anywhere in order to prevent clashes.

Source: BBC

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