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California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday declared a state of emergency in Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties as multiple wildfires tear across California’s wine country.
The flames have "damaged critical infrastructure" and threaten to destroy "thousands of homes,” Brown said in a statement.
At least one person has died and an estimated 20,000 people have been evacuated.
Officials estimate that the wildfires have already wiped out at least 1,500 homes and businesses, Fox News reports.
According to AP, officials say high winds are hampering firefighters' efforts to contain the wildfires.
The first fires began in Napa County on Sunday and quickly spread to Sonoma County. Multiple other fires began burning in Napa, Sonoma, and Yuba counties, prompting mandatory evacuations in the wine country north of San Francisco Bay.
There are now 14 large fires burning.
Gov. Brown in his statement described “conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property” in each of the counties, ordering the state government to employ all personnel, equipment and facilities necessary to fight the fires.
Community centers, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and other local centers have been opened for evacuees, CBS8 San Diego reports.
Evacuees in Sonoma County have been advised to stay indoors as there is “significant smoke in the region.”
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