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From Napa news conference this morning. Mayor Canning: stay out of Calistoga for now. @NapaRegister #napafires #atlasfire pic.twitter.com/Rw76pONSqW— Jennifer Huffman (@NVRHuffman) October 12, 2017

Winds expected to drive next wave of deadly California fires

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — Gusting winds and dry air forecast for Thursday could drive the next wave of devastating wildfires that are already well on their way to becoming the deadliest and most destructive in California history.

Winds up to 45 mph (72 kph) were expected to pummel areas north of San Francisco where at least 23 people have died and at least 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed. The conditions could erase modest gains made by firefighters.

“It’s going to continue to get worse before it gets better,” state fire Chief Ken Pimlott said Wednesday.

The 22 fires, many out of control, spanned more than 265 square miles (686 square kilometers) as the inferno entered its fourth day. ercent.