Million Faces Power Shut Down in California Wildfires

A fast-spreading wildfire, spurred by powerful winds, continued to rage in Northern  California  

Millions of Californians face having their power cut as firefighters continue to battle a surge in wildfires in the state.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) said it may have to turn off power in 36 counties amid forecasts of a “historic wind event”, which it said could damage facilities and cause new fires.

The warning came as wildfires forced some 50,000 people from their homes.

A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles and Sonoma counties.

California’s fire department says the state is experiencing “critical fire weather”.

“PG&E will need to turn off power for safety several hours before the potentially damaging winds arrive,” the company said in a statement.

The company said high winds “pose a higher risk of damage and sparks on the electric system and rapid wildfire spread”, adding that vegetation was especially vulnerable to fire because it had been dried out by previous winds.

The Kincade Fire, which started on Wednesday, has burned through 21,900 acres (8,800 hectares) of land in Sonoma County – one of California’s best-known wine regions.

More than 1,300 firefighters are tackling the blaze, which remains uncontained.