CALIFORNIA — Firefighters continue to battle several wildfires in Northern and Southern California that have scorched tens of thousands of acres, forced thousands to evacuate, closed schools and roadways, and prompted a statewide emergency.
Some of the fires erupted late last week and new fires sparked over the weekend and Monday as extreme fire weather conditions persisted and strong winds continued to sweep across the state.
The largest fire burning Monday is the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County. The blaze broke out Wednesday northeast of Geyserville and was only 5 percent contained by Monday morning.
The fire has scorched 66,231 acres, destroyed 96 structures and damaged 16 others. Another 79,675 homes and other structures remain threatened by the massive blaze, which has forced roughly 185,000 people to evacuate their homes.
There are about 4,150 local, state and federal personnel assisting with the Kincade Fire alone.
The Tick Fire in Los Angeles County has also destroyed structures, threatened homes and caused evacuations.
The fire sparked Thursday in the Santa Clarita area and was 70 percent contained by Monday morning. The blaze has burned 4,615 acres, destroyed 29 structures and damaged 42 others. Another 10,000 homes remain threatened. Evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of residents were lifted over the weekend.
On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency due to the effects of unprecedented high-winds that resulted in fires and evacuations across the state.
“We are deploying every resource available, and are coordinating with numerous agencies as we continue to respond to these fires,” Newsom said in a statement. “It is critical that people in evacuation zones heed the warnings from officials and first responders, and have the local and state resources they need as we fight these fires.”
In Los Angeles County, the Getty Fire erupted before dawn Monday on the west side of Sepulveda Pass, where Interstate 405 passes through the Santa Monica Mountains. The fast-moving blaze scorched 618 acres and shut down the 405 Freeway on- and off-ramps and Getty Center Drive Monday morning.
Thousands of homes in the Brentwood area were evacuated and at least 18 schools were forced to close due to the fire. At least 10 homes were destroyed in the blaze. Thousands of families were left without power as the wind-driven wildfire wreaked havoc on Los Angeles.
The Oak Fire also sparked Monday in Calabasas and burned 10 acres.
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In San Diego County, the Sawday Fire near Ramona and the Miller Fire in Valley Center both ignited Friday and forced evacuations.
The Swaday Fire burned 92 acres and was 95 percent contained by Sunday evening. The Miller Fire scorched 37 acres and destroyed a home. It was fully contained Sunday.
Several new fires sparked Sunday.
The Rawson Fire erupted Sunday in Tehama County and burned 605 acres. The blaze was fully contained Monday morning.
The Burris Fire sparked Sunday in Mendocino County. The blaze blackened 350 acres and was 20 percent contained Monday morning.
The Sky Fire sparked Sunday in Contra Costa County. The fire burned 150 acres and was 90 percent contained Monday morning.
The Alhambra Fire ignited Sunday in a Martinez neighborhood. The blaze in Contra Costa County burned 50 acres, threatened 40 homes and promoted evacuations. Evacuation orders were lifted by Sunday evening.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a new website at response.ca.gov that will gather information on wildfires and power shutoffs around the state. Uber announced Monday it will offer up to two free rides to evacuation centers in Sonoma and Los Angeles counties for residents fleeing the fires.
The extreme fire weather conditions that sparked and fueled the fires prompted Pacific Gas and Electric Company to cut power to hundreds of thousands of customers in Northern and Central California in the utility company’s latest Public Safety Power Shutoff.
An estimated 970,000 PG&E customers in 37 counties were impacted by the shutdowns. With the power still out, the utility announced over the weekend that it is planning for another round of shutoffs to begin Tuesday morning due to another significant wind event.