Residents Flee As Latest Wildfire Races Through Sonoma County

A raging wildfire has forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes after it exploded to thousands of acres in Northern California, authorities said.

The Kincade Fire, ignited Wednesday night, has scorched 10,000 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire, reported Thursday morning.

More than 550 homes -- with about 1,700 residents -- are under mandatory evacuation orders as the blaze burns uncontrollably, Sonoma County officials said. More evacuations may be issued.

The fire erupted the same day that California’s largest utility started another round of intentional power cuts to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires.

It is burning near the outage footprint in Sonoma County, Pacific Gas & Electric officials said early Thursday.