California wildfires: At least 23 dead, hundreds missing

New York, Oct 12: Horrific wildfires sweeping through California state have killed at least 23 people and damaged thousands of homes, businesses and other buildings, authorities said. According to an ABC News report from San Francisco, the firefighters were still battling 22 wildfires in multiple California counties. Intensified by strong winds, the flames have charred about 170,000 acres of land, damaged or destroyed at least 3,500 structures and forced nearly 20,000 residents to evacuate, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The causes of the fires are unknown. At least 8,000 firefighters and support personnel and 124 aircraft are battling the fires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties in Northern California. With firefighters stretched thin throughout the state, federal agencies as well as neighboring Nevada and nearby Washington state are assisting with resources. Authorities said 1,000 fire departments from San Diego to Oregon were assisting. UNI