Winds as high as 80 miles per hour are fueling wildfires across northern California, especially in the state’s famed wine country north of San Francisco. The Los Angeles Times reports:
“Officials evacuated a large swath of Sonoma County, including new orders that covered most of Santa Rosa west of the 101 Freeway and north of Highway 12. The fire has burned more than 30,000 acres and was pushing south toward Highway 128. The 101 Freeway was closed.
“Authorities said their priority now was trying to save Healdsburg and Windsor, north of Santa Rosa along the 101. The cities were evacuated Saturday, and on Sunday morning fire officials urged holdouts to leave immediately, saying the winds were pushing the fire rapidly. Officials said 79 structures had been destroyed and 31,000 were threatened.”
Dangerous #wildfire conditions have returned to California this morning: https://t.co/yMQ3uR9EBd pic.twitter.com/xzf2O8F9yP
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 27, 2019
Nearly 200,000 residents are being asked to evacuate Santa Rosa. NPR Reports:
“At 3:18 a.m., the city of Healdsburg alerted residents, “Winds have kicked up and the Kincade Fire is approaching. … If you are still in town, LEAVE NOW.”
“The Kincade Fire is just 11% contained after three days, and has burned about 26,000 acres. Smoke from the fires is affecting the entire Bay Area, though in most of the region, air quality was not expected to exceed the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range.”
The Kincade Fire is just 11% contained after three days and has burned about 26,000 acres. Now, some 180,000 people are being asked to leave their homes in Northern California due to the fire. https://t.co/K9t3OLkS9L
— NPR (@NPR) October 27, 2019
Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric has cut off power to almost a million homes because, according to The New York Times:
“…as the extreme weather conditions heightened the risk that sparks from its equipment could ignite wildfires throughout the utility’s service area.
The blackout could affect as many as 2.7 million people, and would be the largest power shut-off to prevent wildfires in California history.
“The next 72 hours are going to be challenging,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “I could sugarcoat it but I’m not.”
2.7 million people could lose power in Northern California as utility PG&E cuts service to prevent the spread of wildfires. 50,000 people have been ordered to flee the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, which has consumed 25,455 acres.
Follow live updates: https://t.co/Rx1dQHXAJ8
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 26, 2019
UPDATE: California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency.
I have declared a statewide emergency.
We’re deploying every resource available as we continue to respond to these fires and unprecedented high-winds.
If you live in an affected area, please stay safe, alert, and heed all warnings from local officials. https://t.co/w0Ft19lR3j
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 27, 2019
Watch video from the Los Angeles Times above.