More than 300 horses have been evacuated amid wildfires that have burned more than 100,000 acres in three Northern California counties.

Fed by gusty winds, fire began sweeping across Northern California on Oct. 8, according to CAL FIRE, an agency that monitors fire incidents statewide. By the following day, flames had devastated California’s wine country and towns in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. California Governor Jerry Brown declared states of emergency there and in Yuba, Butte, Lake, Nevada, and Orange counties. By Tuesday, 17 large wildfires had scorched more than 117,000 acres, destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes and commercial businesses, and claimed at least 17 lives, CAL FIRE said.

As flames advanced animal evacuation sites began to open in the affected counties. On Tuesday, horses were still arriving at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, said publicist Leasha LaBruzzi.

“We started receiving large animals early on Monday, and they are still coming in today,” LaBruzzi said. “As of (Tuesday) afternoon we have 225 horses, nine Mini Horses, and one donkey. We have a total capacity of at least 800, possibly more, (but) with the fire still very active we cannot predict how many more we expect