Hundreds still missing in California wildfires as death toll rises

California firefighters are preparing for another dry, windy day as they battle 21 wildfires in the heart of the state’s wine country. Overnight, thanks in part to calmer conditions, firefighters managed to contain 22 percent of one of the blazes in Sonoma and Napa counties. But the number of fatalities continues to rise, with 31 deaths now blamed on the wildfires. At least 3,500 homes and businesses have burned to the ground. The fires cover more than 300 square miles. About 400 people remain on missing persons lists, but officials don’t know how many of them just haven’t been able to communicate with family members and friends after fleeing their homes for safety. The fires span several counties and cities, complicating the search. Each jurisdiction handles missing persons reports differently. “It’s been challenging trying to figure out which agency or which number to call,” said Tiffany Couto, who is searching for her grandmother. “People are trying to help so much, but it’s a chaotic time, and so it’s a challenge to understand exactly how to handle this.”