California officials are working to beat back a massive wildfire that is charing the state and sending citizens sprawling for cover.
The so-called Kincade Fire scorched more than 54,000 acres as of Sunday evening. Nearly 94 buildings and other structures were burned and 80,000 more have been threatened, according to official reports.
More than 180,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes. Much of the fire is impacting Northern California’s wine country and is making tracks southwest toward Sonoma County’s population hub of Santa Rosa.
Meanwhile, citizens are also dealing with rolling blackouts. Pacific Gas & Electric engaged in preemptive shutdowns Saturday afternoon that affected 38 counties up and down California. Nearly 3 million people were forced to prepare for a weekend without electricity.
California declares a statewide emergency as high winds and low humidity continue to fan devastating wildfires. More here: https://t.co/st986rBh2p pic.twitter.com/2Qw3cCKjFd
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 28, 2019
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a San Francisco Democrat who is under pressure as gas prices increase, told citizens Saturday that things are going to be tough for the next few days.
“The next 72 hours will be challenging,” he said at a news conference. “I could sugarcoat it, but I will not.”
California is looking like The Nether in Minecraft. pic.twitter.com/z2tYJJ00FG
— Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) October 28, 2019
Two firefighters sustained injuries since the fires began chewing up the state on Oct. 26. The first blaze began 75 miles northwest of San Francisco, a few miles away from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s congressional district.
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