U.S.

Kincade Fire scorches 74,000 acres, could take "weeks if not months" to be fully extinguished

Updated on: October 28, 2019 / 10:30 PM EDT / CBS News

New fire breaks out in the hills north of Santa Monica

The Kincade Fire in Northern California grew to more than 74,000 acres on Monday, officials said at an evening press conference. While the blaze is now 15% contained, a spokesman for Cal Fire predicted it would take "weeks, if not months" to fully extinguish the flames.

Improving conditions on Monday helped crews gain ground on wildfires that have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. But new wind events predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday prompted additional evacuation orders for residents on the east side of Sonoma County.

Meanwhile, a dangerous wildfire broke out early Monday in Los Angeles, threatening hundreds of homes near the world-famous Getty Center. Strong winds were spreading the fast-growing fire that was burning along a major freeway west of downtown.

Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas told reporters firefighters were overwhelmed. "They had to make some tough decisions on which houses they were able to protect," Terrazas said. "Many times it depends upon where the ember lands."

As of 6:00 p.m. local time, the Getty Fire had burned over 600 acres, and was 5% contained, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Several neighborhoods were under evacuation orders, and at least eight homes were destroyed, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Mandatory evacuations as wildfire breaks out near L.A.'s Getty Center

A video posted on social media by a motorist shows one side of Highway 405 was turned into a towering inferno, CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports. Fire officials called it a dynamic situation.

The flames were being fanned by high winds, which seemed to have calmed down a little before dawn, Evans reports. One of those displaced from his home by the several fires burning near Los Angeles was Lakers star LeBron James.

He tweeted Monday morning he had to evacuate his home suddenly and was driving around trying to find a place to go with his family. He followed up later saying he finally found a safe place.

Senator Kamala Harris also said that her family in California has evacuated due to the wildfires.

The Getty Fire and Kincade Fire were among more than a dozen fires burning in California.

A wildfire is seen near the Getty Center in Los Angeles October 28, 2019, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Twitter user @aliciaskymusic via Reuters

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Kincade Fire grows to 74,324 acres

By 6:30 p.m. local time Monday night, the Kincade Fire had grown to more than 74,000 acres, Cal Fire representative Jonathan Cox said at a press conference. The fire is now 15% contained.

The blaze destroyed 123 structures, Cox said, 57 of which are residential homes. Twenty others were damaged, and 90,000 remain at risk.

Cox estimated that the fire will be contained by November 7, but said that it could take "weeks if not months" to fully extinguish the flames.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES UPDATE: Officials say the wildfires could tentatively be contained November 7 - but it could take "weeks if not months" for all flames to be extinguished https://t.co/K6XOdekkaS pic.twitter.com/YI45NU97pl
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 29, 2019

Due to another wind event expected to begin Tuesday, more evacuation orders have been issued for residents on the eastern side of Sonoma County. A representative from the National Weather Service predicted winds of 20 - 30 mph.

Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick said that a few individuals entered an evacuation zone near Geyserville with "criminal intent." Essick added that deputies made an arrest, and that the incident remains under investigation.

80,000 structures at risk from Kincade fire

The Kincade Fire grew to more than 66,000 acres and was only 5% contained, Cal Fire said Monday morning.

Two firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, Jonathan Cox of Cal Fire said during a press conference Sunday. One suffered minor burn injuries, but another suffered significant burn injuries and had to be airlifted to the UC Davis Medical Center.

The fire has destroyed 96 structures and damaged 16 structures, and officials say nearly 80,000 structures are threatened.

The National Weather Service said there were "clearly challenging conditions on the firelines" on Sunday. The wind is expected to shift Monday, and there will be a 24-hour wind of favorable conditions. But there will be another wind event Tuesday night and there is no rain expected for the rest of the month.

One person was arrested Sunday for possible looting in the fire zone, authorities said.

Congressman says no "immigration enforcement" at shelters

A California congressman said undocumented immigrants should not be afraid to go to wildfire shelters. Congressman Jared Huffman told reporters Monday morning the Department of Homeland Security assured him there wouldn't be any "immigration enforcement activity" at shelters.

"Everyone seeking services or shelter from the immigrant community should do so with confidence that there will not be immigration enforcement activity," the Democrat said.

California residents seek safe place at evacuation centers

Evacuation centers open for California state residents

As firefighters battle the Kincade Fire, there is an emerging housing crisis in Marin County as thousands of people struggle to find a place to ride out the firestorm, CBS News' Jonathan Vigliotti reports. At a Red Cross shelter that was set up Sunday morning, there was a long line of about 100 people waiting to get in, and 200 people had already settled in.

There were a lot of people with last-minute things they were able to grab before being evacuated, including cats and dogs. A python and a lizard had been brought inside the shelter, Vigliotti reports.

More than 2 million people were without power. A lot of them came to shelters so they could get cellphone service.

Then there are those that are part of a mandatory evacuation, those who have no chance to stay at home, many of them seeking a safe place. CBS News has learned at least one more power outage was scheduled for Sunday, and as a result, more shelters would be opening.

PG&E monitoring 3rd consecutive wind event

Pacific Gas & Electric said Sunday that it's monitoring a third consecutive wind event that could affect 32 counties across Northern and Central California. PG&E began cutting power for more than 2 million homes and businesses Saturday, including 1.3 million in the Bay Area.

The new, potentially widespread, strong and dry wind event is forecast for Tuesday morning through midday Wednesday for Northern California, according to PG&E. The weather system is forecast to impact Kern County late Tuesday through Thursday morning.

Due to the predicted extreme weather conditions, PG&E said it's considering proactively turning off power for safety.

Portions of counties that may be impacted include, but are not limited to: