21 killed, whole towns evacuated as Northern California firestorm grows
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - The death toll rose to 21 Wednesday from the rapidly spreading firestorm in California wine country as firefighters were battling the return of dangerous winds that sparked new evacuations.
All residents of Calistoga and Geyserville were ordered to leave their homes as firefighters braced for a tough fight overnight on numerous fronts of the fires.
Napa city officials issued evacuation advisories for neighborhoods along the eastern edges of the city, warning residents to be prepared to leave.
Meanwhile, a red flag warning forecasting dangerous fire conditions took effect Wednesday evening in the San Francisco Bay Area. Weather officials expect strong winds with gusts as high as 50 mph. Combined with dry fuels and low humidity, fires have the potential to spread quickly, according to the National Weather Service.
The warning took effect at 5 p.m. Pacific time in the North Bay Mountains and will take effect at 11 p.m. in the East Bay Hills, Santa Cruz Mountains and mountains in Monterey and San Benito counties.
"It's a good heads-up to all the firefighters and emergency management that the conditions are
