This photo shows the alarming scale of California's wildfires

(Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory.)

published 12 October 2017

Devastating wildfires are raging across Northern California, consuming nearly 170,000 acres and at least 3,500 structures. Twenty-two separate blazes have combined to scorch the region, resulting in 23 deaths so far.

This startling satellite image shared by former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield shows just how massive the wildfires' reach has been:

The Tubbs Fire, which has consumed over 30,000 acres and caused the most deaths, was only 10 percent contained as of Thursday morning. The Atlas Fire was just 3 percent contained after already having burned more than 40,000 acres. Several wineries in the region have burned to the ground. California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has declared a state of emergency in eight counties as firefighters strain to contain the blazes.