CALIFORNIA'S WILDFIRE CAUSE CATASTROPHE

At least 31 people have been killed and 400 are reported missing in the deadliest week of wildfires in California's history.

The massive blazes, which began on Sunday, have swept through the state's wine country, leaving thousands homeless.

With many of the flames still burning out of control, the fires have grown to more than 300 square miles (777 square km) - an area as large as New York City.

Around 8,000 firefighters are battling 20 blazes and their efforts have been hampered by strong winds, which could spark new fires.

Extra manpower and equipment are being deployed from across the country and as far away as Australia and Canada.

It is not known what caused the wildfires but downed power lines and other utility equipment failures are two possible theories.

Meanwhile, a number of cannabis growers have seen their crops incinerated in the blazes.

California is legalising the drug's use for recreational purposes from January next year.

But many of the cannabis farmers were not able to get insurance as federal law prohibits marijuana.

Referring to the gusty winds, California fire chief Ken Pimlott said: "What this means is that our fires will continue to burn erratically.

"They have the potential to shift in any direction at any time. We are a long way from being done with this catastrophe."

Sheriff Rob Giordano of hard-hit Sonoma County, where thousands have been left homeless, said his officers have received around 1,100 reports of missing people.

He said around 745 of them have been located and are safe but pointed out "we still have 400 outstanding," adding the actual figure may be smaller because of possible duplicate reports.

Among the burnt out properties was the Santa Rosa home of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz.

The cartoonist's widow managed to escape the flames but the memorabilia in the house were destroyed.

However, most of Schulz's original artwork is in a nearby museum unaffected by the blaze.

Forest fires are common in the western United States during the summer but this year's ones in California are the deadliest series of fires to hit the state.

In 1933, the Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles County killed at least 29 people, and 25 people died in the 1991 Oakland Hills.

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