California wildfires: Death toll climbs to 35, over 25,000 people evacuated

California wildfires: Death toll climbs to 35, over 25,000 people evacuated

FP Staff October 14, 2017, 15:49:07 IST

Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through Northern California in US, killing at least 35 people and forcing 25,000 people to evacuate

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Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through Northern California in the US, killing at least 35 people and forcing over 25,000 people to evacuate. AP

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The wind-driven blazes, which erupted on Sunday night in the heart of California’s renowned wine country, have destroyed an estimated 5,700 homes and businesses and forced the evacuation of at least 25,000 people. Reuters

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More than 8,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, and more manpower and equipment was pouring in from around the country. Even as they gained more ground, they braced for a return of higher temperatures, lower humidity and strong, gusty winds. AP

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As of Friday, 17 major wildfires — some encompassing several smaller blazes merged together — had consumed nearly 2,22,000 acres of dry brush, grasslands and trees across eight counties. Reuters

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About 25,000 people have been evacuated from their homes by Friday, and additional evacuation too was carried out in several counties. Authorities have brought tents and sleeping bags and opened public buildings and restaurants to house people seeking refuge. Reuters

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Collectively, the fires are among the deadliest in the state’s history. The last single fire to kill as many people was San Diego County’s Cedar Fire in October 2003, which destroyed 2,200 homes. Reuters

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