Millions face power cuts as California fires spread

California officials warned on Saturday that "extreme" winds began to set fire in the northern United States as residents were ordered to evacuate and millions faced blackouts.

As the Kinkade fire spread to cover 25,455 acres (10,300 hectares) that occurred on Wednesday, about 50,000 people were ordered to leave home in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco.

Blazing flames on secluded steep terrain threaten 23,500 structures and have already withdrawn the small community of Geyserville and the operation of nearby vineyards.

David King, a meteorologist with the US Meteorological Administration, told the Los Angeles Times: “This is what we call historically extreme.

"It's time for this wind to make this event really practical."

On Saturdays and Saturdays, hot and intense winds are expected across the San Francisco Bay Area, with timely warnings indicating that the affected areas are at high risk.

Power cut

California's largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., said it would shut down 940,000 customers with precautions that local media will affect about 2 million people.

PG & E says "weather events will be the strongest in California for decades," and Northeast winds are expected to pour up to 112 kilometers per hour (70 miles per hour).

"PG & E will have to be turned off for safety several hours before potentially damaging winds arrive," he added.

"This wind is at high risk of damage to the electrical system, sparks and rapid fire spreads."

According to the "California" Department of Forestry and Protection, about 2,000 firefighters fought the Kincade Fire.

Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick told reporters: "We are announcing about 50,000 refugees." "This fire is very dangerous."

& # 39; I don't know what to do & # 39;

"I can't explain it," said 70-year-old Tina Tavares, evacuated from her geyser home, to the San Francisco Chronicle.

"It's open, like you're in a bad earthquake. And you're watching it and don't know what to do."

PG & E has undergone a thorough investigation since power supply to more than 28,000 customers in Sonoma County this week, but some high-voltage transmission lines are still in operation when the fire breaks out.

The same type of line caused the most deadly wildfires in California in a camp fire last year, killing 86 people.

PG & E, who filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year, has been blamed for another fire in New York State in recent years.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency on Friday and "profited Californians for too long."

He said that countries like California had to endure blackouts, "being beyond words."

He mentioned PG & E, saying, "Dog capitalism on dogs is about meeting climate change." "It's a story about greed and they have to take responsibility."

Further south in California, so-called 40 million acres of Tick Fire lifted most of the evacuation orders after tens of thousands of residents left home near Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles.

The fire closed all schools and major highways in the area, causing traffic confusion for commuters.

About 1,325 firefighters, backed by aviation tankers and helicopters, fought flames near dense communities.

Injuries were not reported, but nine structures were destroyed.

In Mexico's Baja overCalifornia state, a fire broke out and border civil authorities said Friday that three people were killed and more than 150 homes were destroyed.

Antonio Rosquillas, State Protection Commissioner, said Tecate's municipality, which borders the United States, suffered the worst damage.

Source: AFP