Northern California's Kincade fire threatens wine country; much of Santa Rosa evacuated
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Fueled by winds that topped 80 mph, the Kincade fire exploded overnight in Sonoma County, burning winery properties and pushing closer to Healdsburg as about 1 million homes and businesses across the region were thrown into darkness because of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. blackouts.
Officials evacuated a large swath of Sonoma County, including new orders that covered most of Santa Rosa west of the 101 Freeway and north of Highway 12. The fire has burned more than 30,000 acres and was pushing south toward Highway 128. The 101 Freeway was closed.
Authorities said their priority now was trying to save Healdsburg and Windsor, north of Santa Rosa along the 101. The cities were evacuated Saturday, and on Sunday morning fire officials urged holdouts to leave immediately, saying the winds were pushing the fire rapidly. Officials said 79 structures had been destroyed and 31,000 were threatened.
The National Weather Service recorded one gust Sunday morning at 93 mph.
Structures in the famed wine country were burning, including some owned by wineries in the Alexander Valley. The Soda Rock winery along State Highway 128 near Healdsburg was consumed early Sunday morning.
Firefighters said their goal was to keep the fire east of the 101 Freeway and north of Highway 128.
At dawn in Healdsburg, Ron Babbini stood with two friends on the sidewalk in front of his house.
The mandatory evacuation remained in effect
