Extreme Weather

Wind gusts reach hurricane force as wildfires torch Southern California

Holly Yan
By Christina Maxouris, Holly Yan and Ray Sanchez, CNN
6 minute read
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