AP: A snapshot of California's explosive wildfires [View all]

[Omaha Steve]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6ca48cf2759a4eda9bf9b8c9d7d951e2/snapshot-californias-explosive-wildfires

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. (AP) — Drought-stricken California is in the midst of a deadly and destructive siege of wildfires, some exhibiting extreme behavior with what state officials describe as record rates of spread exceeding predictions of computer models. Here's a look at the situation Monday:

NUMBER OF FIRES: 12, mostly in the northern coastal ranges and the Sierra Nevada.

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TOTAL AREA OF FIRES: 703 square miles, more than half of it from the three most significant blazes.

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NUMBER OF PEOPLE DISPLACED: 23,000 from two fires.

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LOSSES: 535 homes in two fires, hundreds of other structures including businesses, barns, outbuildings and infrastructure.

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DEATHS: One confirmed; several people unaccounted for.

FULL story and more photos at link.