California wildfires rage, thousands evacuated

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

California Goverr Gavin Newsom blamed extraordinary wear and lightning strikes for 367 kwn fires, including 23 major fires or groups of fires.

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

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