GRIDLEY, Calif. - A Northern California wildfire that destroyed a foothill hamlet has become the state’s deadliest blaze of the year with 10 people confirmed dead — and the toll could climb as searchers look for 16 missing people, FOX 11 reported. The North Complex fire that exploded in wind-driven flames earlier in the week was advancing more slowly Friday after the winds eased and smoke from the blaze shaded the area and lowered the temperature, allowing firefighters to make progress, authorities said. However, the smoke made for poor visibility and fire helicopters couldn’t fly Thursday. In most parts of the state, red flag warnings of extreme fire danger because of hot, dry weather or gusty winds were lifted. Only a day or two earlier, the North Complex fire tore through Sierra Nevada foothills so quickly that fire crews were nearly engulfed, locals fled for their lives to a pond, and the town of Berry Creek, population 525, was gutted. #CaliforniaFires

An unbelievable view of the West Coast this afternoon. Dense smoke is covering southwest Washington, nearly all of western Oregon and most of California. The smoke is also extending at least 1,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. #CaliforniaFires

Meanwhile, in Colombia. At least seven people were killed, and hundreds injured, after violent protests erupted in Bogota following the death of a man in police custody.