A four-day <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europes-heatwave-consistent-with-climate-change-more-to-come-un-231226">heatwave across western Europe</a> that killed seven people began to ease slightly on Sunday, as temperature alerts were cut back and wildfires slowly brought under control.

Most of the fires that had broken out Spain in recent days were stabilised, but firefighters were struggling to control a blaze in the central provinces of Toledo and Madrid that had burned more than 20 square&nbsp;kilometres since Friday.

In the northeastern town of La Almunia de Dona Godina, the temperature hit a scorching 42.4 Celsius. But five of Spain's 50 provinces were downgraded from "extreme" weather risk, leaving just two at the highest level, with 31 on weather alert.

In France, which experienced a national record of 45.9 Celsius in the south on Friday, temperatures were set to fall gradually.

In Paris, a ban imposed on older cars to counter heat-related pollution was likely to be lifted on Monday, authorities said.

Nevertheless, some 25 out of around 90 French administrative departments have restricted water use, not least for farmers.

Jerome Despey, a wine producer in France's southwestern Herault region, tweeted photos of shrivelled grapes, and complained of "widespread damage".

Meteorologists say a weakening of the high-level jet stream is increasingly causing weather systems to stall and leading summer temperatures to soar. Five of Europe's hottest summers in the last 500 years have happened in this century.

"A race against global warming"

The World Meteorological Organization said this week that the European heatwave was "absolutely consistent" with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

In Frankfurt, 3,000 athletes took part in an Iron Man endurance race despite the heat.

"It felt like a race against global warming - you could have fried an egg on my head," said Sebastian Kienle, who finished second in the men's race.

In the women's event, race leader Sarah True of the United States collapsed within a kilometre of the finish line of the closing marathon stage.

True, who had already completed a 3.8 kilometres swim and 185 kilometres bike ride, was carried off the course and had to be restrained by first-aid workers concerned for her wellbeing.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-massive-heatwave-hits-europe-231329/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At a post-race news conference, she said she was feeling better, but did not remember the final kilometres of the race.

Addressing thousands of people in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis said he was praying for those suffering most from the heat wave - the sick, the old, construction workers and those who had to labour outdoors.

"May no-one be abandoned or exploited," he said.

On Saturday, one 53-year-old crashed after feeling unwell while competing in a cycling race in France's Ariege region, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and died, local public prosecutor Laurent Dumaine said on Sunday.

The race was called off after several participants were taken sick due to the heat, organisers said.

Another cyclist died on Saturday from the effects of heat in the southern region of Vaucluse, authorities said, and at least three people died the same day in central and northern Italy.

Spain had two heat-related deaths on Thursday and Friday.

A four-day heatwave across western Europe that killed seven people began to ease slightly on Sunday, as temperature alerts were cut back and wildfires slowly brought under control.

A four-day heatwave across western Europe that killed seven people began to ease slightly on Sunday, as temperature alerts were cut back and wildfires slowly brought under control. Most of the fires that had broken out Spain in recent days were stabilised, but firefighters were struggling to control a blaze in the central provinces of Toledo and Madrid that had burned more than 20 square kilometres since Friday. In the northeastern town of La Almunia de Dona Godina, the temperature hit a scorching 42.4 Celsius. But five of Spain's 50 provinces were downgraded from "extreme" weather risk, leaving just two at the highest level, with 31 on weather alert. In France, which experienced a national record of 45.9 Celsius in the south on Friday, temperatures were set to fall gradually. In Paris, a ban imposed on older cars to counter heat-related pollution was likely to be lifted on Monday, authorities said. Nevertheless, some 25 out of around 90 French administrative departments have restricted water use, not least for farmers. Jerome Despey, a wine producer in France's southwestern Herault region, tweeted photos of shrivelled grapes, and complained of "widespread damage". Meteorologists say a weakening of the high-level jet stream is increasingly causing weather systems to stall and leading summer temperatures to soar. Five of Europe's hottest summers in the last 500 years have happened in this century. "A race against global warming" The World Meteorological Organization said this week that the European heatwave was "absolutely consistent" with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. In Frankfurt, 3,000 athletes took part in an Iron Man endurance race despite the heat. "It felt like a race against global warming - you could have fried an egg on my head," said Sebastian Kienle, who finished second in the men's race. In the women's event, race leader Sarah True of the United States collapsed within a kilometre of the finish line of the closing marathon stage. True, who had already completed a 3.8 kilometres swim and 185 kilometres bike ride, was carried off the course and had to be restrained by first-aid workers concerned for her wellbeing. At a post-race news conference, she said she was feeling better, but did not remember the final kilometres of the race. Addressing thousands of people in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis said he was praying for those suffering most from the heat wave - the sick, the old, construction workers and those who had to labour outdoors. "May no-one be abandoned or exploited," he said. On Saturday, one 53-year-old crashed after feeling unwell while competing in a cycling race in France's Ariege region, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and died, local public prosecutor Laurent Dumaine said on Sunday. The race was called off after several participants were taken sick due to the heat, organisers said. Another cyclist died on Saturday from the effects of heat in the southern region of Vaucluse, authorities said, and at least three people died the same day in central and northern Italy. Spain had two heat-related deaths on Thursday and Friday.

Europe's heatwave burns on, but eases from record highs

South Korea mobilised more than 15,000 firefighters and soldiers to help douse most of the wildfires that have killed one person and forced more than 4,000 to flee their homes, authorities said on Friday.

Thursday's fires broke out in the eastern province of Gangwon, razing about 1,297 acres and about 134 homes, seven warehouses and other structures, the government said in a statement.

Late on Friday, just 275 people remained in gymnasiums and schools, of more than 4,000 citizens who had been evacuated there. About 52 schools were closed.

The fire in two areas in Gangwon has been contained, the government said, while about 80 per cent of the fire in nearby Inje county was contained by Friday evening.

The cause of the fire was suspected to be sparks triggered by power lines, the government said, without elaborating.

President Moon Jae-in, who has ordered the use of all available resources to put out the fires, visited evacuation shelters and talked to victims.

About 872 fire trucks and 3,251 firefighters from all over the country worked to contain the wildfire, the National Fire Agency said.

The US military said it supplied two helicopters with specialised buckets to drop water.

Subsidies of about $3.5 million will fund the effort to rein in the fires and clear debris, while disaster relief funds of $220,000 will help accommodate evacuees and provide necessities, the interior ministry said.

South Korea mobilised more than 15,000 firefighters and soldiers to help douse most of the wildfires that have killed one person and forced more than 4,000 to flee their homes, authorities said on Friday.

South Korea mobilised more than 15,000 firefighters and soldiers to help douse most of the wildfires that have killed one person and forced more than 4,000 to flee their homes, authorities said on Friday. Thursday's fires broke out in the eastern province of Gangwon, razing about 1,297 acres and about 134 homes, seven warehouses and other structures, the government said in a statement. Late on Friday, just 275 people remained in gymnasiums and schools, of more than 4,000 citizens who had been evacuated there. About 52 schools were closed. The fire in two areas in Gangwon has been contained, the government said, while about 80 per cent of the fire in nearby Inje county was contained by Friday evening. The cause of the fire was suspected to be sparks triggered by power lines, the government said, without elaborating. President Moon Jae-in, who has ordered the use of all available resources to put out the fires, visited evacuation shelters and talked to victims. About 872 fire trucks and 3,251 firefighters from all over the country worked to contain the wildfire, the National Fire Agency said. The US military said it supplied two helicopters with specialised buckets to drop water. Subsidies of about $3.5 million will fund the effort to rein in the fires and clear debris, while disaster relief funds of $220,000 will help accommodate evacuees and provide necessities, the interior ministry said.

Firefighters contain most of South Korean wildfires; hundreds evacuated

Spain has been struck by more than 120 wildfires in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria, where warm temperatures and strong overnight winds have fanned flames, and investigators believed many might have been ignited deliberately, officials said Monday.

Firefighters worked all night to try and extinguish 97 fires in Asturias where temperatures have been unusually high, while emergency services were trying to extinguish some 21 outbreaks in Cantabria, regional emergency services said.

"I am following the evolution of the active fires in Asturias," said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. "Unfortunately the wind is hindering the performance of the helicopters and, in addition, it has stoked the fires. My support and thanks to all the emergency services that are working in the area," he added in a statement.

Fire services had deployed an additional 300 personnel to the usually verdant and mountainous area of Asturias, the region's fire service said, with another 30 being tasked with trying to coordinate efforts to extinguish the flames.&nbsp;

Asturias said it had reinforced its normal service with 50 firefighters and had deployed six fire trucks and two water supply vehicles.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said it was going to transfer two water-carrying planes to Asturias and increase the number of water-bombing helicopters to five.

The risk of forest fires in Asturias was classified as very high on Monday due to unseasonably high temperatures combined with low humidity, factors that have caused authorities to ban all outdoor fires.

Sanchez said he had telephoned Javier Fernandez, President of the regional government of Asturias to offer him the all the support of the state. 
Officials in Cantabria said they had reasons to suspect that more than 60 fires had been started intentionally.

The fires were concentrated at Luena, which had three outbreaks, Ruesga and Tudanca (with two fires each), as well as Arredondo, Castañeda, Cieza, Corvera de Toranzo, Lamasón, Liérganes, Penagos, Puente Viesgo, Rionansa, San Pedro del Romeral, Santa María de Cayón, Los Tojos, Valdáliga and Vega de Pas, authorities said.

Firefighters were hard at work to try and stop the flames reaching inhabited areas in Aes (Puente Viesgo), in Bárcena Mayor (Los Tojos).

A large wildfire has put at risk Ermita del Carmen in Los Llanos de Penagos, the 17th-century hermitage with a historically important chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, officials said.

The regional government of Cantabria has called for citizens to help by avoiding activities that might heighten the risk of fires and to help identify the culprits involved in setting fires.

Fires that have been deliberately lit usually provide several clues, especially when several strong outbreaks have been found in a relatively small area or when evidence of fire-lighting substances has been found.

The Iberian Peninsula has in recent years been increasingly at risk of wildfires during the long, dry summer season, but it is unusual for such fierce outbreaks to emerge so early in the year.

Spain has been struck by more than 120 wildfires in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria, where warm temperatures and strong overnight winds have fanned flames, and investigators believed many might have been ignited deliberately, officials said Monday.

Spain has been struck by more than 120 wildfires in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria, where warm temperatures and strong overnight winds have fanned flames, and investigators believed many might have been ignited deliberately, officials said Monday. Firefighters worked all night to try and extinguish 97 fires in Asturias where temperatures have been unusually high, while emergency services were trying to extinguish some 21 outbreaks in Cantabria, regional emergency services said. "I am following the evolution of the active fires in Asturias," said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. "Unfortunately the wind is hindering the performance of the helicopters and, in addition, it has stoked the fires. My support and thanks to all the emergency services that are working in the area," he added in a statement. Fire services had deployed an additional 300 personnel to the usually verdant and mountainous area of Asturias, the region's fire service said, with another 30 being tasked with trying to coordinate efforts to extinguish the flames. Asturias said it had reinforced its normal service with 50 firefighters and had deployed six fire trucks and two water supply vehicles. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said it was going to transfer two water-carrying planes to Asturias and increase the number of water-bombing helicopters to five. The risk of forest fires in Asturias was classified as very high on Monday due to unseasonably high temperatures combined with low humidity, factors that have caused authorities to ban all outdoor fires. Sanchez said he had telephoned Javier Fernandez, President of the regional government of Asturias to offer him the all the support of the state. Officials in Cantabria said they had reasons to suspect that more than 60 fires had been started intentionally. The fires were concentrated at Luena, which had three outbreaks, Ruesga and Tudanca (with two fires each), as well as Arredondo, Castañeda, Cieza, Corvera de Toranzo, Lamasón, Liérganes, Penagos, Puente Viesgo, Rionansa, San Pedro del Romeral, Santa María de Cayón, Los Tojos, Valdáliga and Vega de Pas, authorities said. Firefighters were hard at work to try and stop the flames reaching inhabited areas in Aes (Puente Viesgo), in Bárcena Mayor (Los Tojos). A large wildfire has put at risk Ermita del Carmen in Los Llanos de Penagos, the 17th-century hermitage with a historically important chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, officials said. The regional government of Cantabria has called for citizens to help by avoiding activities that might heighten the risk of fires and to help identify the culprits involved in setting fires. Fires that have been deliberately lit usually provide several clues, especially when several strong outbreaks have been found in a relatively small area or when evidence of fire-lighting substances has been found. The Iberian Peninsula has in recent years been increasingly at risk of wildfires during the long, dry summer season, but it is unusual for such fierce outbreaks to emerge so early in the year.

Northern Spain hit by more than 120 wildfires as warm, dry conditions prevail

By Faith Kearns and Max Moritz

It doesn’t take long in California to develop a feel for “fire weather.” When it’s hot and dry and the winds blow a certain way, there can be no doubt that, as in the past, landscapes will continue to be forged in fire.

And so, we residents of the state find ourselves again facing late fall wildfires that have scorched drought-parched vegetation while the rainy season evades its highly anticipated start. As the death toll and structure loss from fires burning in the northern and southern parts of the state continue to surpass records set not even a year ago, it is crucial to understand the role winds play in California fires.

Predictable but future unclear

Across California, late fall winds – called by various names including Santa Anas, Diablos and sundowners – blow hot, dry air from the interior of the state out toward the coasts. The winds often intensify as they are channelled through mountain passes and then blasted across dry vegetation and steep surfaces to create the perfect conditions for fire. Given an ignition, those same winds then help to spread fire very quickly.

While these winds are in many ways predictable, they are also altering fire hazard in ways that researchers don’t fully understand. As the climate changes, bringing warmer temperatures and increasingly erratic precipitation patterns, more of these extreme wind events may occur during times that are highly conducive to fire.

It is also conceivable that climate change will cause shifts in the pressure patterns that spawn extreme wind events, to begin with. Therefore, it is possible that in the future we may see extreme winds in new regions or during unexpected times of the year. A deeper understanding of the controls on these events is emerging, but relatively little is known about what the future will hold.

Wind and fire risk

Fire hazard is determined by a variety of factors that include vegetation, topography and weather. Add people and homes, and you get fire risk. While wind is one of the biggest factors in fire spread, it also generates flying embers far ahead of the fire itself.

It is this storm of burning embers that often shower neighbourhoods and ignite homes after finding vulnerable parts of landscaping and structures. Under the worst circumstances, wind-driven home-to-home fire spread then occurs, causing risky, fast-moving “urban conflagrations” that can be almost impossible to stop and extremely dangerous to evacuate.

Managing the type and amount of vegetation, or “fuel,” in an area provides a set of tools for altering fire behaviour in wildland fires. But during wind-driven urban conflagrations, homes are usually a major – if not the main – source of fuel.

Although defensible space immediately around homes is certainly important, vegetation management cannot be the sole solution. Fire-prone communities must also intensify urban and evacuation planning efforts that make the built environment and those living there less vulnerable to fires and the extreme winds that drive them.

Looking ahead 
 
The most recent fires in California are sounding alarm bells that simply cannot be ignored, lest we fall into the trap of normalising the incredible loss of lives and devastated communities year after year. Indeed, fire has become a critical public health and safety issue in this state.

As residents and researchers who have worked extensively on fire in California, we believe the state and its newly elected leadership face a formidable challenge and an opportunity to reinvest in a robust, interdisciplinary approach to wildfire risk reduction that combines the best of both research and practice. It must integrate both new (and potentially controversial) urban planning reforms as well as novel thinking about evacuation alternatives.

As it stands, California is failing to keep up with what we know about fire hazard and risk, and losing time as we struggle against rapidly changing climate conditions. Simply put: There is no time to waste. 
 
(Faith Kearns is Academic Coordinator, California Institute for Water Resources, University of California; Max Moritz is&nbsp;Cooperative Extension Wildfire Specialist at the University of California Forest Research and Outreach)

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-fierce-fall-and-winter-winds-help-fuel-california-fires-106985">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Faith Kearns and Max Moritz It doesn’t take long in California to develop a feel for “fire weather.” When it’s hot and dry and the winds blow a certain way, there can be no doubt that, as in the past, landscapes will continue to be forged in fire.

By Faith Kearns and Max Moritz It doesn’t take long in California to develop a feel for “fire weather.” When it’s hot and dry and the winds blow a certain way, there can be no doubt that, as in the past, landscapes will continue to be forged in fire. And so, we residents of the state find ourselves again facing late fall wildfires that have scorched drought-parched vegetation while the rainy season evades its highly anticipated start. As the death toll and structure loss from fires burning in the northern and southern parts of the state continue to surpass records set not even a year ago, it is crucial to understand the role winds play in California fires. Predictable but future unclear Across California, late fall winds – called by various names including Santa Anas, Diablos and sundowners – blow hot, dry air from the interior of the state out toward the coasts. The winds often intensify as they are channelled through mountain passes and then blasted across dry vegetation and steep surfaces to create the perfect conditions for fire. Given an ignition, those same winds then help to spread fire very quickly. While these winds are in many ways predictable, they are also altering fire hazard in ways that researchers don’t fully understand. As the climate changes, bringing warmer temperatures and increasingly erratic precipitation patterns, more of these extreme wind events may occur during times that are highly conducive to fire. It is also conceivable that climate change will cause shifts in the pressure patterns that spawn extreme wind events, to begin with. Therefore, it is possible that in the future we may see extreme winds in new regions or during unexpected times of the year. A deeper understanding of the controls on these events is emerging, but relatively little is known about what the future will hold. Wind and fire risk Fire hazard is determined by a variety of factors that include vegetation, topography and weather. Add people and homes, and you get fire risk. While wind is one of the biggest factors in fire spread, it also generates flying embers far ahead of the fire itself. It is this storm of burning embers that often shower neighbourhoods and ignite homes after finding vulnerable parts of landscaping and structures. Under the worst circumstances, wind-driven home-to-home fire spread then occurs, causing risky, fast-moving “urban conflagrations” that can be almost impossible to stop and extremely dangerous to evacuate. Managing the type and amount of vegetation, or “fuel,” in an area provides a set of tools for altering fire behaviour in wildland fires. But during wind-driven urban conflagrations, homes are usually a major – if not the main – source of fuel. Although defensible space immediately around homes is certainly important, vegetation management cannot be the sole solution. Fire-prone communities must also intensify urban and evacuation planning efforts that make the built environment and those living there less vulnerable to fires and the extreme winds that drive them. Looking ahead The most recent fires in California are sounding alarm bells that simply cannot be ignored, lest we fall into the trap of normalising the incredible loss of lives and devastated communities year after year. Indeed, fire has become a critical public health and safety issue in this state. As residents and researchers who have worked extensively on fire in California, we believe the state and its newly elected leadership face a formidable challenge and an opportunity to reinvest in a robust, interdisciplinary approach to wildfire risk reduction that combines the best of both research and practice. It must integrate both new (and potentially controversial) urban planning reforms as well as novel thinking about evacuation alternatives. As it stands, California is failing to keep up with what we know about fire hazard and risk, and losing time as we struggle against rapidly changing climate conditions. Simply put: There is no time to waste. (Faith Kearns is Academic Coordinator, California Institute for Water Resources, University of California; Max Moritz is Cooperative Extension Wildfire Specialist at the University of California Forest Research and Outreach) (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How fierce fall and winter winds help fuel California fires

The death toll from raging <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/california-wildfires-death-toll-goes-up-to-21-21314" target="_blank">California wildfires rose to 31</a> Thursday as body recovery teams used cadaver dogs to locate victims, making it the deadliest series of blazes in the state&#39;s history.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/wildfires-kill-10-in-california-21192" target="_blank">The fires, which began on Sunday, have swept through California&#39;s wine country,</a> leaving thousands of people homeless and burning over 190,000 acres (76,000 hectares) of land.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/15-dead-as-wildfires-torch-california-wine-country-21261" target="_blank">Gusty winds on Thursday were hampering the efforts of the 8,000 firefighters battling 20 blazes</a>, and weather conditions were not forecast to improve.

&quot;What this means is that our fires will continue to burn erratically,&quot; California fire chief Ken Pimlott told a news conference. &quot;They have the potential to shift in any direction at any time.

&quot;We are a long way from being done with this catastrophe,&quot; he said.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) announced Thursday that the fires have claimed 31 lives, while Sheriff Rob Giordano of hard-hit Sonoma County said his department has received around 1,100 reports of missing persons.

Of those, &quot;745 of them, roughly, have been located safe,&quot; while &quot;we still have 400 outstanding,&quot; Giordano said, noting that the actual figure may be smaller because there are sometimes duplicate reports.

He said targeted body recovery efforts had begun in cases where all other leads were exhausted.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;re moving into a recovery phase,&quot; he said. &quot;We have cadaver dogs up here that can basically scent bodies and help us find people.&quot;

Giordano warned that it was &quot;going to be a slow process&quot; as fires continue to burn and that identifying victims would be difficult.

&quot;Some of these remains are actually intact bodies -- much easier to identify, much easier to get things from. Some of them are merely ashes and bones, and we may never get a truly confirmative identification on ashes,&quot; he said.

In cases in which bodies have been badly burned, authorities have had to use dental records and serial numbers on medical devices to identify the dead.

Asked if he expected the death toll to rise, Giordano replied: &quot;I&#39;d be unrealistic if I didn&#39;t.&quot;

The sheriff said that of the 17 people confirmed dead in Sonoma County, 10 have now been identified.

&quot;The youngest person on this list is 57 years old. The bulk of them are in their 70s and 80s,&quot; he said.

As recovery teams fanned out searching for fire victims, evacuation orders were issued for towns in wine-producing Napa and Sonoma counties, where hundreds of people have already lost their homes to the fast-moving infernos.

Residents of Calistoga, a resort town of some 5,000 people in Napa, and Geyserville, a town of around 800 people in Sonoma, were told to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.

Risk of new fires 
 
Entire neighbourhoods in Santa Rosa have been reduced to ashes, and evacuation orders were issued for additional parts of the devastated city of 175,000 people in Sonoma County.

Cal Fire meanwhile said that strong winds could spark new fires.

&quot;These winds will continue to challenge firefighters in their efforts towards containment and will increase the risk for new fires,&quot; Cal Fire said.

The National Weather Service said wind gusts of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour were forecast in some areas and the &quot;critical fire weather conditions&quot; would continue into the weekend.&nbsp;

Pimlott, the Cal Fire chief, said hundreds of fire engines and dozens of firefighting crews were being brought in from other states.

&quot;Hour by hour more resources pour in,&quot; he said.

A state emergency management official said the authorities were looking into bringing in firefighters from as far away as Australia.

David Shew, a veteran firefighter with Cal Fire, said the wildfires were like nothing he&#39;s seen before.

&quot;I&#39;ve been with Cal Fire for 30 years and I&#39;ve seen big fires,&quot; he told AFP. &quot;But this is extraordinary, having that many and that large and going so fast.&quot;

Thousands of people have been left homeless and 25,000 people have evacuated their homes in Sonoma County alone, according to officials.

More than 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed, including several wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties, the heart of the state&#39;s extensive wine production.

President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in California, freeing up federal funding and resources to help fight the fires, and Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in eight counties.

Michael Desmond, 63, was among the hundreds of residents of Santa Rosa&#39;s Coffey Park neighbourhood who lost their homes.

&quot;I feel violated like a thief came in,&quot; said Desmond, who sobbed as he surveyed the rubble of the house where he grew up.

Forest fires are common in the western United States during the summer but this year&#39;s blazes in California are the deadliest series of fires to hit the state.

The Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles County in 1933 killed at least 29 people, and 25 people died in the 1991 Oakland Hills fire.

The fires have swept through California's wine country, leaving thousands of people homeless

The death toll from raging California wildfires rose to 31 Thursday as body recovery teams used cadaver dogs to locate victims, making it the deadliest series of blazes in the state's history. The fires, which began on Sunday, have swept through California's wine country, leaving thousands of people homeless and burning over 190,000 acres (76,000 hectares) of land. Gusty winds on Thursday were hampering the efforts of the 8,000 firefighters battling 20 blazes, and weather conditions were not forecast to improve. "What this means is that our fires will continue to burn erratically," California fire chief Ken Pimlott told a news conference. "They have the potential to shift in any direction at any time. "We are a long way from being done with this catastrophe," he said. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) announced Thursday that the fires have claimed 31 lives, while Sheriff Rob Giordano of hard-hit Sonoma County said his department has received around 1,100 reports of missing persons. Of those, "745 of them, roughly, have been located safe," while "we still have 400 outstanding," Giordano said, noting that the actual figure may be smaller because there are sometimes duplicate reports. He said targeted body recovery efforts had begun in cases where all other leads were exhausted. "We're moving into a recovery phase," he said. "We have cadaver dogs up here that can basically scent bodies and help us find people." Giordano warned that it was "going to be a slow process" as fires continue to burn and that identifying victims would be difficult. "Some of these remains are actually intact bodies -- much easier to identify, much easier to get things from. Some of them are merely ashes and bones, and we may never get a truly confirmative identification on ashes," he said. In cases in which bodies have been badly burned, authorities have had to use dental records and serial numbers on medical devices to identify the dead. Asked if he expected the death toll to rise, Giordano replied: "I'd be unrealistic if I didn't." The sheriff said that of the 17 people confirmed dead in Sonoma County, 10 have now been identified. "The youngest person on this list is 57 years old. The bulk of them are in their 70s and 80s," he said. As recovery teams fanned out searching for fire victims, evacuation orders were issued for towns in wine-producing Napa and Sonoma counties, where hundreds of people have already lost their homes to the fast-moving infernos. Residents of Calistoga, a resort town of some 5,000 people in Napa, and Geyserville, a town of around 800 people in Sonoma, were told to leave and seek shelter elsewhere. Risk of new fires Entire neighbourhoods in Santa Rosa have been reduced to ashes, and evacuation orders were issued for additional parts of the devastated city of 175,000 people in Sonoma County. Cal Fire meanwhile said that strong winds could spark new fires. "These winds will continue to challenge firefighters in their efforts towards containment and will increase the risk for new fires," Cal Fire said. The National Weather Service said wind gusts of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour were forecast in some areas and the "critical fire weather conditions" would continue into the weekend. Pimlott, the Cal Fire chief, said hundreds of fire engines and dozens of firefighting crews were being brought in from other states. "Hour by hour more resources pour in," he said. A state emergency management official said the authorities were looking into bringing in firefighters from as far away as Australia. David Shew, a veteran firefighter with Cal Fire, said the wildfires were like nothing he's seen before. "I've been with Cal Fire for 30 years and I've seen big fires," he told AFP. "But this is extraordinary, having that many and that large and going so fast." Thousands of people have been left homeless and 25,000 people have evacuated their homes in Sonoma County alone, according to officials. More than 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed, including several wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties, the heart of the state's extensive wine production. President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in California, freeing up federal funding and resources to help fight the fires, and Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in eight counties. Michael Desmond, 63, was among the hundreds of residents of Santa Rosa's Coffey Park neighbourhood who lost their homes. "I feel violated like a thief came in," said Desmond, who sobbed as he surveyed the rubble of the house where he grew up. Forest fires are common in the western United States during the summer but this year's blazes in California are the deadliest series of fires to hit the state. The Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles County in 1933 killed at least 29 people, and 25 people died in the 1991 Oakland Hills fire.

Toll in California fires rises to 31, deadliest in state's history

Firefighters facing a resurgence of high winds on Wednesday struggled to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/15-dead-as-wildfires-torch-california-wine-country-21261" target="_blank">halt wildfires that have killed at least 23 people, destroyed 3,500 structures</a> and left hundreds missing in chaotic evacuations across northern California&#39;s wine country.

Nearly two dozen blazes spanning eight counties have charred around 170,000 acres (68,797 hectares). <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/wildfires-kill-10-in-california-21192" target="_blank">Flames erupted on Sunday night when gale force winds toppled power lines across the region</a>, possibly igniting one of the deadliest wildfire outbreaks in California history.

Flames were spread rapidly by hot, dry &quot;Diablo&quot; winds - similar to Southern California&#39;s Santa Ana winds - that blew into northern California towards the Pacific on Sunday night.

The official cause of ignition has not been determined. But electric wires knocked down by those same winds may have sparked the conflagration, according to Daniel Berlant, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

&quot;That is definitely a possibility, he told Reuters. &quot;Power lines are a common cause of fires during wind events.&quot;

Berlant said some of the victims in northern California were asleep when the fast-moving fires broke out, igniting their homes before they could escape.

More than 20,000 people remained under evacuation as the fires raged largely unchecked for a third day, belching palls of smoke that engulfed the region and drifted south over the San Francisco Bay area, where some residents donned face masks.

More than 550 people were still reported unaccounted for in Sonoma County on Wednesday morning, said Jennifer Laroque, a county emergency operations centre spokeswoman.

It was unclear how many of the missing might be actual fire victims rather than evacuees who merely failed to check in with authorities after fleeing their homes. Officials urged displaced residents to let their family members know they were safe.

Obliterated neighbourhoods

The Sonoma County town of Santa Rosa, the largest city in the wine country region, was particularly hard hit by one of the fiercest blazes, the so-called Tubbs fire. Block after block of some neighborhoods were virtually obliterated with nothing left but charred debris, broken walls, chimneys and the steel frames of burned-out cars.

&quot;It&#39;s like driving through a war zone,&quot; J J&nbsp;Murphy, 22, one of the thousands of evacuees, said of the area around his home in the Sonoma Valley community of Glen Ellen.

Murphy, five relatives, a bird, a dog and two cats piled into their camper van to flee on Monday, he said.

&quot;It&#39;s crazy how in just a few hours a place I&#39;ve recognised all my life I can&#39;t recognise,&quot; he said at a roadside food stop in the town of Sonoma.

In the town of Napa on the first night of a blaze dubbed the Atlas fire, nearly 50 people who were in danger of being overrun by flames were rescued by the crews of two California Highway Patrol helicopters working in tandem during a seven-hour aerial evacuation operation.

The weather gave firefighters a bit of a respite on Tuesday as cooler temperatures, lower winds, and coastal fog enabled them to make headway against the flames. Fire crews labored on Wednesday to strengthen containment lines as winds picked up again.

&quot;We&rsquo;re not out of the woods and we&rsquo;re not going to be out of the woods for a great number of days to come,&quot; Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), said at a news conference.

In addition to high winds, fires were stoked by an abundance of thick brush and other vegetation left tinder-dry by a summer of hot, dry weather and months with little or no rainfall. The cause of the fires remained under investigation.

Matt Nauman, a spokesman for the region&#39;s main utility, Pacific Gas &amp; Electric, acknowledged that fallen power lines were widespread during the &quot;historic wind event,&quot; which he said packed some hurricane-strength gusts in excess of 75 miles per hour.

Fires enter record books

At least 11 people were killed by the Tubbs fire in Sonoma County alone, officials said. It is the deadliest single California wildfire since 2003, when the so-called Cedar fire killed 15 people in San Diego, according to state data.

The latest overall death toll of 21, including six fatalities in Mendocino County and two more each in Napa and Yuba counties, marks the greatest loss of life from a California wildfire event in 26 years since 25 people perished in a firestorm that swept the Oakland Hills in October 1991.

The deadliest wildfire on record in California dates back to October 1933, when 29 lives were lost in the Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles.

Officials identified the dead in Napa County as 100-year-old Charles Rippey and his 98-year-old wife, Sarah. His body was found outside where his wife&#39;s bedroom once stood, their son, Mike Rippey, told local television.

&quot;He was trying to get from his room to her room,&quot; he said. &quot;He never made it.&quot;

Wildfires have damaged or demolished at least 13 Napa Valley wineries, a trade group for vintners there said on Tuesday. But experts say smoke rather than flames may pose a greater risk to the delicate grapes still waiting to be picked.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in several northern counties, as well as in Orange County in Southern California, where a fire in Anaheim destroyed 15 structures and damaged 12.

The wildfires have killed at least 21 people, destroyed 3,500 structures and left hundreds missing in chaotic evacuations across northern California's wine country

Firefighters facing a resurgence of high winds on Wednesday struggled to halt wildfires that have killed at least 23 people, destroyed 3,500 structures and left hundreds missing in chaotic evacuations across northern California's wine country. Nearly two dozen blazes spanning eight counties have charred around 170,000 acres (68,797 hectares). Flames erupted on Sunday night when gale force winds toppled power lines across the region, possibly igniting one of the deadliest wildfire outbreaks in California history. Flames were spread rapidly by hot, dry "Diablo" winds - similar to Southern California's Santa Ana winds - that blew into northern California towards the Pacific on Sunday night. The official cause of ignition has not been determined. But electric wires knocked down by those same winds may have sparked the conflagration, according to Daniel Berlant, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). "That is definitely a possibility, he told Reuters. "Power lines are a common cause of fires during wind events." Berlant said some of the victims in northern California were asleep when the fast-moving fires broke out, igniting their homes before they could escape. More than 20,000 people remained under evacuation as the fires raged largely unchecked for a third day, belching palls of smoke that engulfed the region and drifted south over the San Francisco Bay area, where some residents donned face masks. More than 550 people were still reported unaccounted for in Sonoma County on Wednesday morning, said Jennifer Laroque, a county emergency operations centre spokeswoman. It was unclear how many of the missing might be actual fire victims rather than evacuees who merely failed to check in with authorities after fleeing their homes. Officials urged displaced residents to let their family members know they were safe. Obliterated neighbourhoods The Sonoma County town of Santa Rosa, the largest city in the wine country region, was particularly hard hit by one of the fiercest blazes, the so-called Tubbs fire. Block after block of some neighborhoods were virtually obliterated with nothing left but charred debris, broken walls, chimneys and the steel frames of burned-out cars. "It's like driving through a war zone," J J Murphy, 22, one of the thousands of evacuees, said of the area around his home in the Sonoma Valley community of Glen Ellen. Murphy, five relatives, a bird, a dog and two cats piled into their camper van to flee on Monday, he said. "It's crazy how in just a few hours a place I've recognised all my life I can't recognise," he said at a roadside food stop in the town of Sonoma. In the town of Napa on the first night of a blaze dubbed the Atlas fire, nearly 50 people who were in danger of being overrun by flames were rescued by the crews of two California Highway Patrol helicopters working in tandem during a seven-hour aerial evacuation operation. The weather gave firefighters a bit of a respite on Tuesday as cooler temperatures, lower winds, and coastal fog enabled them to make headway against the flames. Fire crews labored on Wednesday to strengthen containment lines as winds picked up again. "We’re not out of the woods and we’re not going to be out of the woods for a great number of days to come," Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), said at a news conference. In addition to high winds, fires were stoked by an abundance of thick brush and other vegetation left tinder-dry by a summer of hot, dry weather and months with little or no rainfall. The cause of the fires remained under investigation. Matt Nauman, a spokesman for the region's main utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, acknowledged that fallen power lines were widespread during the "historic wind event," which he said packed some hurricane-strength gusts in excess of 75 miles per hour. Fires enter record books At least 11 people were killed by the Tubbs fire in Sonoma County alone, officials said. It is the deadliest single California wildfire since 2003, when the so-called Cedar fire killed 15 people in San Diego, according to state data. The latest overall death toll of 21, including six fatalities in Mendocino County and two more each in Napa and Yuba counties, marks the greatest loss of life from a California wildfire event in 26 years since 25 people perished in a firestorm that swept the Oakland Hills in October 1991. The deadliest wildfire on record in California dates back to October 1933, when 29 lives were lost in the Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles. Officials identified the dead in Napa County as 100-year-old Charles Rippey and his 98-year-old wife, Sarah. His body was found outside where his wife's bedroom once stood, their son, Mike Rippey, told local television. "He was trying to get from his room to her room," he said. "He never made it." Wildfires have damaged or demolished at least 13 Napa Valley wineries, a trade group for vintners there said on Tuesday. But experts say smoke rather than flames may pose a greater risk to the delicate grapes still waiting to be picked. California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in several northern counties, as well as in Orange County in Southern California, where a fire in Anaheim destroyed 15 structures and damaged 12.

California wildfires: Death toll goes up to 23

A wildfire that spread into a small Northern California town over the weekend destroyed more than 175 homes and businesses, authorities said on Monday, as crews fought to save more dwellings from the flames. 
 
The so-called Clayton fire, named for the creek near where it broke out, was driven by fierce winds into the foothill community of Lower Lake, some 80 miles (129 km) north of San Francisco, forcing hundreds of residents to flee. That fire broke out on Saturday evening. 
 
A damage assessment team was working to determine how many structures were lost, said Daniel Berlant of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. He said many homes were damaged or lost. 
 
There were no reports of casualties, Berlant said, but Lake County sheriffs deputies were investigating burned-out structures. The nearby community of Clear Lake was also evacuated. 
 
As winds abated on Sunday evening crews made progress cutting containment lines around the flames and putting out hot spots, Berlant said. &quot;As temperatures heat back up again today it&#39;s likely fire conditions will increase.&quot; 
 
&quot;We&#39;ve got over 1,600 firefighters ready to go to battle again when that happens.&quot; 
 
The cause of the Clayton fire, which has blackened more than 3,000 acres, was under investigation. Fire managers said it was about 5 percent contained as of Monday morning. 
 
The conflagration is one of 24 major wildfires burning across the drought-parched US. West which all together have charred nearly 300,000 acres. 
 
The so-called Chimney fire, which erupted on Saturday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County, had scorched more than 4,300 acres in less than 48 hours, destroying 20 structures and threatening some 150 others as hundreds of residents were told to evacuate. 
 
That blaze, which broke out near Chimney Rock Road, was only 10 percent contained as of Monday morning. 
 
The Soberanes fire, one of the largest so far this season, has burnt through more than 72,000 acres near scenic Big Sur, destroying 57 homes and 11 outbuildings since it broke out on July 22. It was 60 percent contained as of Monday. 
 
A bulldozer operator died on July 26 when his tractor rolled over as he helped property owners battle the flames, the sixth wildfire fatality in California this year. 
 
Authorities have traced origins of the Soberanes fire to an illegal campfire left unattended in a state park about a mile from Highway 1. No arrests have been made so far. 
 
(Reuters)

There were no reports of casualties even as the burned-out structures are being investigated

A wildfire that spread into a small Northern California town over the weekend destroyed more than 175 homes and businesses, authorities said on Monday, as crews fought to save more dwellings from the flames. The so-called Clayton fire, named for the creek near where it broke out, was driven by fierce winds into the foothill community of Lower Lake, some 80 miles (129 km) north of San Francisco, forcing hundreds of residents to flee. That fire broke out on Saturday evening. A damage assessment team was working to determine how many structures were lost, said Daniel Berlant of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. He said many homes were damaged or lost. There were no reports of casualties, Berlant said, but Lake County sheriffs deputies were investigating burned-out structures. The nearby community of Clear Lake was also evacuated. As winds abated on Sunday evening crews made progress cutting containment lines around the flames and putting out hot spots, Berlant said. "As temperatures heat back up again today it's likely fire conditions will increase." "We've got over 1,600 firefighters ready to go to battle again when that happens." The cause of the Clayton fire, which has blackened more than 3,000 acres, was under investigation. Fire managers said it was about 5 percent contained as of Monday morning. The conflagration is one of 24 major wildfires burning across the drought-parched US. West which all together have charred nearly 300,000 acres. The so-called Chimney fire, which erupted on Saturday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County, had scorched more than 4,300 acres in less than 48 hours, destroying 20 structures and threatening some 150 others as hundreds of residents were told to evacuate. That blaze, which broke out near Chimney Rock Road, was only 10 percent contained as of Monday morning. The Soberanes fire, one of the largest so far this season, has burnt through more than 72,000 acres near scenic Big Sur, destroying 57 homes and 11 outbuildings since it broke out on July 22. It was 60 percent contained as of Monday. A bulldozer operator died on July 26 when his tractor rolled over as he helped property owners battle the flames, the sixth wildfire fatality in California this year. Authorities have traced origins of the Soberanes fire to an illegal campfire left unattended in a state park about a mile from Highway 1. No arrests have been made so far. (Reuters)

Wildfire in California burns more than 175 homes

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