Destructive new wildfires in northern California have killed three people, officials said on Monday, as strong winds fanned flames in the already badly scorched state.

The three were killed by a fast-moving blaze west of Redding, where more than 1,200 people shave been evacuated, but more details were not given.

The Zogg fire is one of nearly 30 major wildfires burning in California. In Sonoma and Napa counties, where the rapidly expanding Glass fire broke out over the weekend, more than 53,000 people were under orders to evacuate.

The Glass fire engulfed the Chateau Boswell Winery and the Black Rock Inn in St Helena and multiple homes in the city of Santa Rosa, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Residents of a senior home were among those evacuated.

On Sunday, the fire came within a mile of the Adventist Health St Helena hospital, forcing the evacuation of 55 patients.