Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Authorities are fighting a Northern California blaze that had forced evacuation orders and warnings for nearly all of Sonoma County stretching to the coast, with forecasts of strong winds prompting blackouts to prevent fire-causing power line damage.
Pacific Gas & Electric started shutting off power Saturday around 5 p.m. for an estimated 2.35 million people across 38 counties. About 90,000 residents were ordered to evacuate towns near the 40-square-mile (104-square-kilometer) fire.
The worst gusts were expected in wine country after midnight.
Authorities said weekend gusts might reach 75 mph (120 kph) or higher as part of a "historic" wind event and could cause "erratic fire behavior," sending embers miles ahead of the main blaze.
Officials warned residents under evacuation orders to leave for their safety and that of first responders.
___
Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Juliet Williams in San Francisco contributed.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
