Fire destroy 3,500 homes in California

California’s fast-moving and deadly wildfires have destroyed an estimated 3,500 homes and commercial structures, many in wine-growing areas, according to the state’s fire service.

The number of people confirmed dead in the wildfires tis now 17.

Conditions were described as “very active on several fronts,’’ including additional evacuations across northern California.

Firefighters are battling 22 large wildfires across the state. Altogether they have scorched about 69,000 hectares.

Strong winds have fanned the flames for days, and the forecast calls for a shift in the winds and an increase in speed.

Jerry Brown, governor of the state, has declared an emergency for several counties, including Napa and Sonoma in the state’s wine-growing region.