Californian fires leave behind apocalyptic scenes

The wildfires that have ravaged parts of California’s wine country since Sunday have left behind apocalyptic scenes of destruction. In the city of Santa Rosa, whole districts have been razed to the ground.

Cooler weather on Tuesday allowed emergency workers and residents to survey the damage to homes and possessions. But dry, windy conditions are forecast to return on Wednesday, raising the prospect of new outbreaks.

At least 17 people have been killed and some 150 are unaccounted for, while 2,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed in the fires.