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Lonely Planet

Friday
October 25, 2019
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Thousands ordered to leave as Northern California fire rages

By JOCELYN GECKER and
NOAH BERGER
Associated Press
GEYSERVILLE, Calif. (AP)
— Officials ordered 2,000
people to evacuate their
homes and businesses in
Northern California wine
country Thursday after a
wildfire exploded in size,
fueled by powerful winds
that prompted utilities
throughout the state to im-
pose electrical blackouts
to prevent fires.
The entire community of
Geyserville and nearby res-
idents were told to leave
after the fire in the Sonoma
County wine region north
of San Francisco grew to
more than 15 square miles
(39 square kilometers).
Among those fleeing
the flames was 81-year-
old Harry Bosworth, who
awoke before sunrise to
find a firetruck and fire-
fighters in his driveway. As
he and his wife drove off, Vines surround a burning building as the Kincade Fire burns through the Jimtown community of unincorporated Sonoma County,
flames surrounded their Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. Associated Press
driveway and their barn
caught fire. mal field where nearly two of Forestry and Fire Protec- and by Thursday afternoon, destroyed.
“I could see the fire com- dozen power plants draw tion. The cause of the blaze the blaze raged on the out- Some people were refusing
ing, so we got the heck out steam from more than 350 was not yet known, he said, skirts of Geyserville. to leave despite the dan-
of there,” Bosworth said. mountain wells to create but it was fueled overnight There were no immediate gers, Sonoma County Sher-
The fire started Wednesday electricity, said Mike Parkes, by 60 mph (95 kph) winds. reports of any injuries. Au- iff Mark Essick said.
night near the Geysers, the incident commander with The rugged terrain was thorities did not yet know
world’s largest geother- the California Department hard to access, he said, how many buildings were Continued on Page 3