UPDATE 1 – Wildfires in California kill at least 13, injure more than 170

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By BNO NEWS

At least 13 people have been killed and more than 170 others have been injured as firefighters battle more than a dozen separate wildfires in Northern California, local officials say. Dozens of people are still unaccounted-for.

The 17 wildfires across California’s Wine Country have forced more than 20,000 people to flee their homes since Sunday. At least 1,500 structures have been destroyed and firefighters are still working to contain the fires, which have charred more than 115,000 acres (46,500 hectares) of land.

Most of the victims have been reported in Sonoma County, where at least 7 people have been confirmed dead. The death toll is expected to rise as more than 100 people have been reported missing, but officials cautioned that some of those missing are likely safe. The list may also include duplicates.

Authorities have also reported 3 deaths in Mendocino County, 2 deaths in Napa County, and 1 death in Yuba County.

St. Joseph Health said more than 170 patients had been treated as of early Tuesday morning. Most of those injured were suffering from smoke inhalation, though several people had suffered severe burns. At least 2 people were reported to be in critical condition.

California Governor Ed Brown on Monday declared a state of emergency for 8 counties and asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to support local and state efforts. The wildfires are the state’s worst since August 2008 and already among the deadliest wildfires in California state history.

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