California wildfires rage across 10,000 acres in just 4 hours leaving 200,000 without power – sparking mass evacuations

WILDFIRES in California have raged through 10,000 acres in four hours, sparking mass evacuations and leaving half a million without power.

The Kincade fire has been fuelled by strong winds and has yet to be contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has said.

Dramatic images from overnight show a home engulfed in flames as firefighters tried to control the blaze.

By the time the sun rose, parts of Geyserville resembled an apocalyptic wasteland with burnt out cars and playgrounds.

State Senator Mike McGuire said four air tankers and 11 helicopters have been deployed to tackle the growing blaze.

Almost 900 people people were ordered to evacuate from the town of Geyserville, located in the state's northern wine region.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said this morning: "If you’re in Geyserville, leave now."

A California Fire spokeswoman said the worst of the winds are expected to arrive Thursday afternoon local time.

She added the winds are coming from the north and is moving south.

NOT SLOWING DOWN

Forecaster Marc Chenard said: "It looks like at its worst, southern California will see wind gusts of 55mph. Down in some of the coastal areas the winds could reach 75mph later today."

He added the fire will not subside until at least the weekend.

Large parts of California were under red-flag alerts this week, suggesting as heightened risk of fire, officials said.

About 185,000 customers were without power in the state this morning, according to poweroutage.us.

More than half a million homes and businesses in the state are at risk of losing power this week as two utility firms, Pacific Gas & Electric (PCG.N) and Southern California Edison (SCE_pe.A), cut off electricity as a preventive measure against wildfires.

Southern California Edison, another firm, said 308,000 customers across seven counties including Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura in southern California were under consideration for having their power cut off.

The blaze is believed to have started in a mountainous area near Kincade Road and Burned Mountain Road.

Earlier this month, fires raged across 4,700 acres north of Los Angeles and forced thousands to flee.