One Pinoy dead in Northern California wildfire; DFA expresses condolences


A Filipino died in the wildfire in Northern California, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco said.
In its report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General said the Filipino's remains were recovered on Saturday in Napa County. 
The remains have yet to be identified.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano condoled with the family of the victim, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Tuesday.
“We offer our sincere sympathies and prayers to the family of our kababayan who perished in this horrific fire.  I have instructed our Consulate General in San Francisco to offer all possible assistance to the family and to continue to closely monitor the welfare of other Filipinos in the affected areas,” he said.
The Consulate General in San Francisco has offered assistance to the family of the victim, including coordinating arrangements for the repatriation of the remains, said Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon Ascalon.
"We also continue to communicate with the Filipino community through our social media advisories, and have offered consular assistance to Filipinos affected by the wildfires," Ascalon added.
Sixteen wildfires have caused the deaths of at least 40 people, and burned over 214,000 acres or more than 86,600 hectares, the DFA said.
About 100,000 people have been evacuated and more than 10,000 firefighters are continuing efforts to put the fires out.
Some 5,700 structures have been destroyed.
The DFA said about 13,500 Filipinos live in the counties of Napa, Sonoma, and Yuba, which have been largely affected by the wildfires.
Some 4,200 Filipinos, meanwhile, live in Lake, Marin, and Mendocino counties which were likewise affected by the wildfires.
Authorities have raised red flag warnings across Northern California, since strong north winds have increased the fire activity. —With a report from Michaela del Callar/KG, GMA News

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