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Wildfires decimate California’s wine country
At least 10 people have died and 1,500 businesses and homes destroyed by raging wildfires in Northern California wine country.
About 20,000 people have been evacuated from in and around Napa valley and Sonoma, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott told the AP.
Fox News reports there could be as many as 100 more people reported missing.
Cal Fire spokesman Dave Shew believes several Napa wineries may be destroyed after as many as 14 different fires raged on Monday.
The Hilton Sonoma hotel was among those severely damaged in the fast moving fire, which was whipped up by strong winds.
Hilton confirmed this with a Facebook post on Monday: "Please be advised our hotel is currently closed due to the wild fires in Santa Rosa. All guests and associates were safely evacuated."
Signorello Estate Winery and Paradise Ridge Winery were also destroyed.
"These wildfires are burning everything in their paths. There is significant structure loss, not only to homes but also to commercial structures," said Cal Fire’s Dan Berlant.
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday issued a state of emergency for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties.
The area has about 600 wineries and attracts millions of visitors a year.
It is busy tourist season as grapes are still being harvested and the area generates billions from tourism each year.
"We are all in shock and trying to help our fellow growers and neighbors where we can," said Heidi Soldinger, a spokeswoman for Napa Valley Grapegrowers.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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