California firefighters in desperate race to curb wildfires as winds predicted to strengthen

At least 17 fires are burning across California amid a statewide emergency

Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced in California by 17 raging fires that have already burned more than 94,000 acres of land across the state, as winds were expected to pick up throughout the week.

Hurricane-force winds strengthened the Kincade fire in Northern California that began 23 October and spread rapidly, reportedly burning over 74,000 acres in Sonoma County. Analysts said winds north of San Francisco could reach up to 65 mph (104 kph) until at least Wednesday.

Hundreds of miles away, firefighters raced against the clock as a newer blaze threatened parts of Los Angeles on Tuesday, with forecasters saying the worst was yet to come for the region.

“The winds in the south will really pick up, 50 to 70 mph (80 to 112 kph) with some gusts up to 80 mph (129 kph) in the Los Angeles mountain area,” said Marc Chenard, a forecaster for the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Centre.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency as “extreme fire weather conditions” impacted nearly 43 counties and a reported 25 million people were placed under red flag warnings.

“We are deploying every resource available, and are coordinating with numerous agencies as we continue to respond to these fires,” the governor said in a statement.

He has visited multiple shelters housing evacuees, as well as a local hospital, to meet with some of the thousands of displaced residents across the state.

“I know this moment generates a tremendous amount of anxiety,” Mr Newson said on Monday.

The massive Kincade fire meanwhile remains under investigation. By early Tuesday, it had scorched more than 74,000 acres, destroyed 123 homes and other structures and was 15 per cent contained as it burned across parts of Sonoma County’s picturesque wine country, state fire officials said.

The governor said he was confident that firefighters had secured enough perimeters around the Kincade fire that it no longer posed an imminent threat to two communities north of Santa Rosa, although he conceded the fight was not over.

The so-called Getty fire covered more than 600 acres in the scrub-covered hills around Interstate 405, near some of the city’s most expensive homes.

It destroyed eight structures and was 5 per cent contained, officials said.

Additional reporting by Reuters