California declares state of emergency amid raging fires, winds

Jerusalem, 28 October, 2019 (TPS) -- By: MIA 

California’s governor declared a statewide emergency on Sunday as powerful winds whipped up fires and forced tens of thousands to evacuate across the state.

“We’re deploying every resource available as we continue to respond to these fires and unprecedented high-winds,” Gavin Newsom said on Twitter.

The Kincade fire in northern California’s Sonoma County has burned more than 30,000 acres and has led to the evacuation of almost 200,000 people, the governor’s office said in a news release.

“This is the largest evacuation that any of us at the Sheriff’s Office can remember,” the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office tweeted.

More than 3,000 personnel, including first responders, are battling the Kincade fire, according to the governor’s office.

The blaze, which is only 10 percent contained, has destroyed around 80 structures and two vineyards.

In southern California, the Tick Fire has also burned structures, threatened homes and critical infrastructure and caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, the governor’s office said.

Nearly a million residents in northern and central California are expected to be without power until Monday, as the utility Pacific Gas & Electric shut off power to prevent strong winds from knocking over live wires and sparking further wildfires.

“The shutoff is expected to impact approximately 940,000 customers in 38 counties,” the utility said in a Saturday news release.