Santa Rosa (Web Desk): More than a dozen wildfires raged across Northern California for the third straight day Tuesday, with the biggest ones scorching the state's famous wine country, killing at least 11 people and forcing more than 20,000 people to evacuate, CNN reported.
The largest fires were burning in California's wine country destinations -- Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties -- with flames ripping through the lush, picturesque landscape.
At least 11 people have died since Sunday night when most of the fires began. Seven deaths were reported in the city of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, two in Napa County, one in Mendocino County and one in Yuba County, according to officials.
The two killed in Napa County were 100-year-old Charles Rippey and his wife, Sara, 98, Napa County spokeswoman Kristi Jourdan said. They died when a fire engulfed their home near the Silverado Country Club north of Napa, she said.
About 1,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the three largest fires in Northern California alone -- in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said Tuesday.
More than 100 people were being treated at Napa- and Sonoma-area hospitals for fire-related injuries or health issues, including burns, smoke inhalation and shortness of breath.
Wildfires were burning more than 119,032 acres in California as of Monday night.
More than 100 phone calls have been made to Sonoma County's missing persons hotline, the county said.
