Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a statewide emergency as wildfires raged across the state.
The first-term governor made the declaration Sunday as 200,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.
“We are deploying every resource available, and are coordinating with numerous agencies as we continue to respond to these fires,” the governor said. “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.”
A Kincade fire started Wednesday has already burned down 25,000 acres in Sonoma County and is only 10% contained. Dry air with wind speeds of up to 93 mph has fueled the blaze.
Pacific Gas and Electric has used targeted blackouts in high wind areas in an attempt to stop more forest fires from starting. So far, the blackouts have affected millions of customers, with more blackouts scheduled for this weekend.
