California wildfires rage, thousands evacuated

Crews were battling wildfires in the San Francisco Bay Area and thousands of people were under orders to evacuate on Wednesday, as hundreds of wildfires blazed across the state amid a blistering heat wave now in its second week.

California Governor Gavin Newsom blamed the extraordinary weather and lightning strikes for the 367 known fires, including 23 major fires or groups of fires.

He said the state has recorded nearly 11,000 lightning strikes in 72 hours.

At least 50 structures were destroyed, including some homes, and 50 damaged.