![Massive forest fires rage through California: [NBC News]/[Youtube]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/9/660x290/b_502x220x82/massive-forest-fires-rage-through-california-nbc-newsyoutube_1623419.jpg "Massive forest fires rage through California: [NBC News]/[Youtube]")
On Monday, strong winds led to deadly wildfires in northern California, BBC reported. The death toll rose up to 13, about 1,500 buildings were destroyed, and around 20,000 locals had to evacuate from the dangerous area. Thousands of firefighters worked Hard To Stop 17 wildfires in nine counties.
According to officials, eleven residents died in Napa and Sonoma counties, one death happened in Mendocino County and one more in Yuba County. Country sheriff Rob Giordano claimed that the death toll would be likely to rise.
Details of the devastation
The fire started on Sunday night.
Wind gusts were estimated to be up to 50 m.p.h., they caused separate wildfires which spread in the area of around 115,000 acres. According to the governor’s Office of Emergency Services, around 100 injured in fire residents turned to hospitals for getting treatment.
Many vineyards, where highly valued grapes are grown, suffered from fire, and heavy smoke can taint unharvested grapes, according to experts, Reuters reported. Officials declared a state of emergency for seven California northern counties, as well as for the prime wine-making areas and Orange County in Southern California.
Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann claimed that "As of right now, with these conditions, we can't get in front of this fire and do anything." Napa and Sonoma counties were the most suffered from the biggest fire, which spread very fast because of dry conditions, CNN reported
A trailer park, many neighborhoods in Santa Rosa and a Hilton hotel were destroyed.
Kaiser Permanente Hospital and Sutter Hospital were ordered to evacuate. Santa Rosa Memorial accepted 12 patients from the evacuated hospitals.
Authorities control the situation
On Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Francisco noted the critical fire weather conditions and stated a "red flag warning" for the Bay Area.
The NWS announced that the threat would remain in effect Southern California because of the warm and dry weather conditions.
During a visit to the state on October 9, Vice President Mike Pence announced that "the federal government stands ready to provide any and all assistance to the state of California,” the Guardian reported.
Local authorities ordered mandatory evacuations in the whole area north of San Francisco Bay and other places where blazes broke out. San Francisco, which is situated 60 miles south of the Sonoma County, suffered from thick smoke.
