Wildfires are erupting across California, fueled by dry air, fierce winds and high temperatures.
Over 190,000 California customers are in the dark Thursday as power companies preemptively cut electricity in an attempt to keep fires from starting.
The Kincade wildfire began in Sonoma County in Northern California’s wine country Wednesday night.
As winds reached up to 76 mph, the blaze exploded to a massive 10,000 acres overnight.
The Kincade fire is 0% contained and the cause is under investigation.
The #KincadeFire is relentless. Still going strong and out of control at 5:50am. Is started at 10pm. It is very windy out here. pic.twitter.com/nu3AHSoMwF
Cal Fire spokesperson Amy Head said the fire is wind driven and it’s hard for crews to keep up.
“We just can’t keep ahead of it … we are almost chasing it and trying to catch up with it,” she said Thursday morning.
Cal fire tells me they have so far kept the #KincadeFire to the outskirts of Geyserville. They evacuated the town as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/8uNxthD6OW
We’re evacuating a few more homes north of Pine Flat Road. #KincadeFire pic.twitter.com/XBf6n4mIHG
The community of Geyserville is under mandatory orders to evacuate immediately, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office warned Thursday.
#kincadefire is moving quickly. This is why we issued evacuation orders. Be safe, Sonoma County. pic.twitter.com/AdhnZGciq6
#KincadeFire Hawkeye ranch. @NorthBayNews pic.twitter.com/4kt06Gdg8y
In Southern California, winds are expected to be even stronger due to the higher mountain range, creating Santa Ana winds.
In San Bernardino County, which is inland from Los Angeles, the Old Water fire is threatening homes as winds gust up to 50 mph.
#OldWaterFire evacuations update:
Early morning footage of #SBCoFD firefighters effecting immediate evacuations with @SanBernardinoPD and @SanBernardinoNF as wind driven fire races towards homes on the #OldWaterFire .-JRS pic.twitter.com/Uvqq5viKQw
The blaze has consumed 75 acres and is 0% contained.
The Old Water fire has closed schools and forced residents of about 80 homes to evacuate.
New Fire – San Bernardino- Old Waterman Canyon pic.twitter.com/ziV06OBDtz
A heat advisory is also in effect in Southern California with temperatures expected to reach the 90s from San Diego to Los Angeles. Dry air, high temperatures and winds all contribute to the spread of wildfires.
