Saddened by death and devastation in California fires: Pompeo

Pompeo tweeted: "Saddened by the death and devastation of the California fires. Offering thanks to the brave first responders and keeping those affected in my prayers."

The death toll in the wildfires that hit  California state in the US touched 25, media reports said on Sunday.

This comes after 14 more bodies were discovered in or near the decimated town of Paradise in the state's north, bringing the number of confirmed dead there to 23, reported BBC.

Two more deaths were reported from Malibu city.

An estimated 250,000 people have left their homes to escape the blaze.

Reacting to the wildfire incident, US President Donald Trump had blamed gross mismanagement of the forests and warned of funding cuts.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!" Trump tweeted.

As per BBC report, the blaze started on Thursday near Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles (64km) north-west of central Los Angeles. Another blaze, the Hill Fire, started at about the same time, also near Thousand Oaks.   

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