California fires: Death toll touches 15, over 150 missing

Environment/Science

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 11 Oct 2017, 05:37 am Print

Napa, Oct 11 (JEN): The death toll in the deadly California fires has increased to 15, while scores of people are still missing, reports said.

Officials fear that at least 150 people are still unaccounted for.

The blaze has also destroyed a part of the state's wine region, forcing the evacuation of thousands.

Sonoma County alone counted for nine deaths.

More that 1500 homes have been completely destroyed by the flames, according to local authorities, who added that north San Francisco's Santa Rosa was the worst affected town.

The BBC quoted state fire chief Ken Pimlott as saying that "17 fires had burned about 115,000 acres (26,000ha) in the past 24 hours."

An emergency has been declared in seven counties, including Napa and Sonoma, by California Governor Jerry Brown.

President Donald J. Trump Approves California Disaster Declaration. #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/eWQcBBkiS4
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) October 10, 2017