Californian firefighters are preparing to battle even more blazes today, with dry, windy weather set to create “critical fire weather conditions” contributing to “extreme fire behaviour”.
With winds of up to 60mph and humidity of just 10 per cent forecast, a force of 8,000 firefighters is working to reinforce and extend buffer lines.
More than 5,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate the town of Calistoga, Napa Valley, which is facing one of the biggest threats.
More than 20 wildfires have ravaged eight counties including Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino.
The fires have already scorched an area of more than 190,000 acres – almost the size of New York City – leaving at least 31 people dead and hundreds more are missing.
The death toll is expected to rise, with more than 400 still missing in Sonoma County alone.
Sonoma accounted for 17 fatalities – all from the Tubbs fire, which now ranks as California’s deadliest since 2013.
Authorities have been forced to warn anyone who refuses the leave their home: “You are on your own.”
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties in the heart of Northern California’s wine region.
About 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed, with entire neighbourhoods in the city of Santa Rosa reduced to smoking ruins.
The most lethal wildfire event in California’s history has killed people while they sleep in their beds, and has prompted the evacuation of more than 20,000 residents.
The cause of the fires is still under investigation, however officials believe that power lines toppled by gale-force winds on Sunday night could have been a factor.
At least 40,000 people were without power in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, a Pacific Gas and Electric spokesman said.
He added that the company’s priority is restoring electricity to customers.
Where are the California fires?
Google and CalFire, the Californian Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, maintains an interactive map showing all wildfires across the state.
As of 11am on Friday October 13, there were 20 active fires – including three unconnected blazes in the south of the state.
Clicking on each fire pulls information on the state of the individual blaze.