Extreme Weather

Wind gusts reach hurricane force as wildfires torch Southern California

Holly Yan
By Christina Maxouris, Holly Yan and Ray Sanchez, CNN
Updated 4:40 PM EDT, Wed October 30, 2019
LA home fire burns
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California fires force thousands to evacuate across the state
01:54 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

The race to stop an inferno torching the Los Angeles area has gotten more dangerous as furious winds – some as strong as in a hurricane – stoke the flames.

Gusts of up to 70 mph will fuel the Getty Fire through Thursday, threatening more than 7,000 homes, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

And that’s just one of at least 10 wildfires burning across California.

Firefighters spray water on a backfire while battling the spread of the Maria Fire on Friday, November 1. It is just one of the numerous wildfires in California right now.
Firefighters spray water on a backfire while battling the spread of the Maria Fire on Friday, November 1. It is just one of the numerous wildfires in California right now.
Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
A firefighter works at containing the Maria Fire in the hills near Ventura, California, on November 1.
A firefighter works at containing the Maria Fire in the hills near Ventura, California, on November 1.
Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Firefighters spray water onto a tree while fighting the Maria Fire in Ventura County, California, on November 1.
Firefighters spray water onto a tree while fighting the Maria Fire in Ventura County, California, on November 1.
APU GOMES/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
A long-exposure photo shows the Maria Fire as it races across a hillside in Santa Paula, California, on November 1.
A long-exposure photo shows the Maria Fire as it races across a hillside in Santa Paula, California, on November 1.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters watch the progress of a backfire near Somis.
Firefighters watch the progress of a backfire near Somis.
David McNew/Getty Images
The remains of the Louis Robidoux Nature Center keep smoldering after the structure was destroyed by a wildfire in Riverside, California.
The remains of the Louis Robidoux Nature Center keep smoldering after the structure was destroyed by a wildfire in Riverside, California.
Watchara Phomicinda/Orange County Register via ZUMA Wire
A firefighter sprays down the smoldering remains of a burning home in San Bernardino, California, on Thursday, October 31. It was affected by the Hillside Fire.
A firefighter sprays down the smoldering remains of a burning home in San Bernardino, California, on Thursday, October 31. It was affected by the Hillside Fire.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Marco Alcaraz uses a garden hose to try to slow down the advance of the Easy Fire in Simi Valley.
Marco Alcaraz uses a garden hose to try to slow down the advance of the Easy Fire in Simi Valley.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Firefighters work to prevent a blaze from spreading to other homes in San Bernardino.
Firefighters work to prevent a blaze from spreading to other homes in San Bernardino.
Christian Monterrosa/AP
An Air Force One from Ronald Reagan's presidency sits on display as the Easy Fire burns near Reagan's presidential library on October 30.
An Air Force One from Ronald Reagan's presidency sits on display as the Easy Fire burns near Reagan's presidential library on October 30.
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Firefighters brace themselves for incoming fire retardant as they battle the Easy Fire in Simi Valley.
Firefighters brace themselves for incoming fire retardant as they battle the Easy Fire in Simi Valley.
Christian Monterrosa/AP
Fabio Losurdo comforts his horse, Smarty, at a ranch in Simi Valley on October 30.
Fabio Losurdo comforts his horse, Smarty, at a ranch in Simi Valley on October 30.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Flames approach the backyards of mobile homes in Jurupa Valley, California, on October 30.
Flames approach the backyards of mobile homes in Jurupa Valley, California, on October 30.
Will Lester/The Orange County Register/AP
Laura Horvitz, right, and Robyn Phipps help rescue goats from a ranch near the Reagan Presidential Library.
Laura Horvitz, right, and Robyn Phipps help rescue goats from a ranch near the Reagan Presidential Library.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
Health care workers evacuate the Riverside Heights Healthcare Center on October 30.
Health care workers evacuate the Riverside Heights Healthcare Center on October 30.
Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Inmate firefighters battle the Kincade Fire near Healdsburg, California, on Tuesday, October 29.
Inmate firefighters battle the Kincade Fire near Healdsburg, California, on Tuesday, October 29.
Noah Berger/AP
A home between Healdsburg and Windsor is surrounded by charred ground on October 29.
A home between Healdsburg and Windsor is surrounded by charred ground on October 29.
Guy Wathen/AP
From left, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tour a burned home in Brentwood, California, on October 29.
From left, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tour a burned home in Brentwood, California, on October 29.
Wally Skalij/AP
Firefighters work near the Getty Center in Los Angeles on Monday, October 28.
Firefighters work near the Getty Center in Los Angeles on Monday, October 28.
Qian Weizhong/Xinhua/Getty Images
Thousands of Los Angeles residents were forced to evacuate their homes because of the Getty Fire.
Thousands of Los Angeles residents were forced to evacuate their homes because of the Getty Fire.
Qian Weizhong/Xinhua/Sipa USA
Los Angeles County firefighter Collin Bashara rests near his truck on October 28.
Los Angeles County firefighter Collin Bashara rests near his truck on October 28.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Smoke from the Kincade Fire hangs over Healdsburg as farm animals graze in a pasture on October 28.
Smoke from the Kincade Fire hangs over Healdsburg as farm animals graze in a pasture on October 28.
Noah Berger/AP
A man walks past a burning home in Los Angeles on October 28.
A man walks past a burning home in Los Angeles on October 28.
Christian Monterrosa/AP
Fire crews walk along a blackened ridge as they battle the Getty Fire in Los Angeles.
Fire crews walk along a blackened ridge as they battle the Getty Fire in Los Angeles.
Gregory Bull/AP
Firefighters battling the Kincade Fire spray water at a home in Windsor on Sunday, October 27.
Firefighters battling the Kincade Fire spray water at a home in Windsor on Sunday, October 27.
Ethan Swope/AP
Firefighters burn fuel around a home in Windsor in an effort to save it from the Kincade Fire.
Firefighters burn fuel around a home in Windsor in an effort to save it from the Kincade Fire.
Max Whittaker/The New York Times/Redux Pictures
Dr. Emily Putt, a veterinarian who helps rescue horses from fire zones, comforts a horse as the Kincade Fire burns in Healdsburg on October 27.
Dr. Emily Putt, a veterinarian who helps rescue horses from fire zones, comforts a horse as the Kincade Fire burns in Healdsburg on October 27.
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter passes a burning home as the Kincade Fire rages in Healdsburg on October 27.
A firefighter passes a burning home as the Kincade Fire rages in Healdsburg on October 27.
Noah Berger/AP
Vines smolder in a cloud of smoke in Healdsburg.
Vines smolder in a cloud of smoke in Healdsburg.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
Flames from the Kincade Fire consume a home in Healdsburg.
Flames from the Kincade Fire consume a home in Healdsburg.
Noah Berger/AP
A team of firefighters put out a smoldering vine in Healdsburg.
A team of firefighters put out a smoldering vine in Healdsburg.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
The Soda Rock Winery burns in the Kincade Fire.
The Soda Rock Winery burns in the Kincade Fire.
Noah Berger/AP
Firefighters from the Dry Creek Rancheria remove an American flag in Healdsburg.
Firefighters from the Dry Creek Rancheria remove an American flag in Healdsburg.
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter watches over a structure as the Kincade Fire threatens Chalk Hill Road in Healdsburg.
A firefighter watches over a structure as the Kincade Fire threatens Chalk Hill Road in Healdsburg.
Anda Chu/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images
A firefighter sets a backfire along a hillside in Healdsburg on Saturday, October 26.
A firefighter sets a backfire along a hillside in Healdsburg on Saturday, October 26.
Philip Pacheco/AFP/Getty Images
A line of fire snakes along a hillside as firefighters light backfires to slow the spread of the Kincade Fire near Geyserville, California, on October 26.
A line of fire snakes along a hillside as firefighters light backfires to slow the spread of the Kincade Fire near Geyserville, California, on October 26.
Noah Berger/AP
Sodhi Singh closes up his Chevron station shortly after losing power in Healdsburg on October 26. In an attempt to avoid any more catastrophic wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric began shutting down the power to about 940,000 customers, citing a historic wind event in northern and central parts of the state.
Sodhi Singh closes up his Chevron station shortly after losing power in Healdsburg on October 26. In an attempt to avoid any more catastrophic wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric began shutting down the power to about 940,000 customers, citing a historic wind event in northern and central parts of the state.
Noah Berger/AP
A backfire set by firefighters burns along a hillside in Healdsburg.
A backfire set by firefighters burns along a hillside in Healdsburg.
Philip Pacheco/AFP/Getty Images
Sandy Beddow evacuates Healdsburg with her dog.
Sandy Beddow evacuates Healdsburg with her dog.
Noah Berger/AP
Firefighters set a backfire along a hillside in Healdsburg.
Firefighters set a backfire along a hillside in Healdsburg.
Philip Pacheco/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters hose down a burning house in Agua Dulce, California, on Friday, October 25. It was affected by the Tick Fire, which broke out near Santa Clarita.
Firefighters hose down a burning house in Agua Dulce, California, on Friday, October 25. It was affected by the Tick Fire, which broke out near Santa Clarita.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Orange County firefighters put out remaining hot spots from a brush fire in San Clemente, California, on October 25.
Orange County firefighters put out remaining hot spots from a brush fire in San Clemente, California, on October 25.
Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images
A firefighting aircraft intervenes over Sonoma County, California, where the Kincade Fire was burning on October 25.
A firefighting aircraft intervenes over Sonoma County, California, where the Kincade Fire was burning on October 25.
Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A firefighter sprays water on a burning home in Sonoma County on Thursday, October 24.
A firefighter sprays water on a burning home in Sonoma County on Thursday, October 24.
Noah Berger/AP
A Los Angeles County firefighter monitors the area as the Tick Fire burns near homes in Canyon Country on October 24.
A Los Angeles County firefighter monitors the area as the Tick Fire burns near homes in Canyon Country on October 24.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The Kincade Fire burns in the Jimtown community of Sonoma County on October 24.
The Kincade Fire burns in the Jimtown community of Sonoma County on October 24.
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter works the scene of a burned-out home in Santa Clarita on October 24.
A firefighter works the scene of a burned-out home in Santa Clarita on October 24.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Brandon Mani covers his face from the smoke as he walks along Highway 14 in Santa Clarita.
Brandon Mani covers his face from the smoke as he walks along Highway 14 in Santa Clarita.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
A helicopter passes a smoke plume on October 24.
A helicopter passes a smoke plume on October 24.
Noah Berger/AP
A structure continues to burn after the Kincade Fire moved through Geyserville on October 24.
A structure continues to burn after the Kincade Fire moved through Geyserville on October 24.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Geyserville, about 80 miles north of San Francisco, is among the communities under mandatory evacuation order.
Geyserville, about 80 miles north of San Francisco, is among the communities under mandatory evacuation order.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Two firefighters discuss a plan while battling the wildfire in Geyserville.
Two firefighters discuss a plan while battling the wildfire in Geyserville.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
The sun rises above a smoke-filled valley in Geyserville on October 24.
The sun rises above a smoke-filled valley in Geyserville on October 24.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
A fire whirl whips across dry brush as the Kincade Fire spreads through Sonoma County on October 24.
A fire whirl whips across dry brush as the Kincade Fire spreads through Sonoma County on October 24.
Kent Porter/AP
Trees burn as the fire engulfs a hillside in Geyserville.
Trees burn as the fire engulfs a hillside in Geyserville.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Embers fly across a roadway in Jimtown on October 24.
Embers fly across a roadway in Jimtown on October 24.
Noah Berger/AP
In pictures: Wildfires s