More than a dozen wildfires whipped by powerful winds have swept through northern California’s wine region. The flames have destroyed thousands of homes and forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate.<br /><br />Some reports say as many as ten people have died and several more have been reported missing. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />10 people were killed and 1,500 structures lost as more than 14 fires ravaged Northern California on Monday https://t.co/nGAUBKn4Md pic.twitter.com/7w14yz0UOK— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) October 10, 2017<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It’s not known what caused the fires which first broke out on Sunday but the state’s fire chief says an eight-county swathe of Northern California, including Napa, and Sonoma counties are ablaze.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />#BREAKING At least 3 people dead and 20,000 people evacuated due to wildfires scorching Northern California https://t.co/1IvXslx0v6— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 9, 2017<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Santa Rosa, the largest city in the fire area with a population of about 175,000, has been hardest hit . Patients from two hospitals have been evacuated to safety while homes and businesses in the surrounding areas have been burnt to the ground.<br /><br />A well known hotel was left smouldering in the ruins.<br /><br />A state of emergency has been declared in the region as fire fighters continue to try to bring the flames under control.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My heart is with the families of the 10 souls we have lost to the Northern California fires. Your Senate stands ready to help.— Kevin de Leόn (@kdeleon) October 10, 2017<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />praying for the safety and well-being of everyone affected by the fires in California, including friends, family and first-responders.— Matt Hutnyan (@matt_hutnyan) October 10, 2017<br />
