At least 1 resident killed in Northern California wildfire

Authorities say at least one resident has died in wildfires that are raging through Northern California and threaten tens of thousands of homes. Solano County Sheriff Sheriff Thomas A. Ferrara announced the man's death Thursday, but he didn't have additional details. At least two other people have died in the dozens of major fires that have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in the San Francisco Bay Area, wine country and portions of the Sierra Nevada. A Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker assisting with advance clearing was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle in the Vacaville area between San Francisco and Sacramento. A pilot on a water-dropping mission in central California also died Wednesday when his helicopter crashed.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
 SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — More than two dozen major fires were scorching California on Thursday and taxing the state's firefighting capacity, sparked by an unprecedented lightning siege that dropped nearly 11,000 strikes over several days. The fires have destroyed 175 structures, including homes, and are threatening 50,000 more, said Daniel Berlant, an assistant deputy director with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In all, 33 civilians and firefighters have been injured, and two people have died. Most of the activity is in Northern California, where fires have chewed through about 500 square miles (1,250 square kilometers) of brushland, rural areas, canyon country and dense forest surrounding San Francisco. More than 10,000 firefighters are on the front lines, but fire officials in charge of each of the major fire complexes say they are strapped for resources. Some firefighters were working 72-hour shifts instead of the usual 24 hours. The state has requested 375 engines and crew from other states...MORE