What you need to know about the California wildfires

The most recent wildfires to strike Northern California started October 8, 2017. Authorities have issued a state of emergency as the situation worsens. The number of fires grew from 17 to 22 on Wednesday, and the death toll has reached 21 with more expected. About 170,000 acres have been consumed by the fires, and more than 3,500 homes have been destroyed. Sonoma county already has 670 residents who are unaccounted for, but over 20,000 have been evacuated from their homes. The residue from the fires is so bad, San Franciscan residents have been told to stay indoors. On Wednesday, California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamal Harris called on Trump and Congress to provide federal aid to the ravaged state. This standalone event is now being called the worst series of wildfires in the state's history.