Winds whip new terror into California wildfires

Blazes on way to becoming worst in history of the state

SONOMA, California - Fueled by the return of strong winds, the wildfires tearing through California wine country exploded in size and number on Wednesday as authorities ordered new evacuations and the death toll climbed to 23, a figure that is expected to rise.

Three days after the fires began, firefighters were still unable to gain control of the blazes that had turned entire Northern California neighborhoods to ash and destroyed at least 3,500 homes and businesses.