SAN FRANCISCO - An onslaught of wildfires across a wide swath of Northern California broke out almost simultaneously then grew exponentially, swallowing up properties from wineries to trailer parks and tearing through tiny rural towns as well as urban subdivisions.

At least 11 were dead, at least 100 injured and at least 1,500 homes and businesses destroyed, but authorities expected all three figures to grow as more reports come in. Together, the fires are already among the deadliest in California history.

Tens of thousands were forced to flee as areas were reduced to a wasteland of twisted metal and ash while firefighters tried to contain the flames supercharged by wind gusts up to 110 km/h.