At least 15 people have been killed and 100 injured by several wildfires currently whipping through northern California’s wine country. The AP reports that the fires broke out nearly simultaneously on Sunday and exploded from there, destroying some 2,000 homes and businesses.
Taken as a group, the fires are among the deadliest in California history, with hundreds of additional firefighters summoned to the area to help control the blazes. Local officials have received more than 150 missing-person reports as family and friends seek to locate loved ones, although they may well be safe, as the fires have knocked out communications in many areas.