Thousands ordered to flee California wine country blaze

People evacuate a house as a fire rages in a distance in Santa Clarita, California, U.S., October 24, 2019, in this still image taken from a doorbell camera footage obtained from social media. Ben Ibarra/via REUTERS

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California firefighters raced against time on Saturday as they cut defensive lines against a wildfire in Sonoma County's famed wine country and authorities ordered 50,000 people to evacuate, ahead of winds that are forecast to pick up at night and spread the flames.

The expanded evacuation orders came as the utility Pacific Gas and Electric Corp prepared to shut off power to about 940,000 customers in 36 of the state's counties to guard against the risk that an electric mishap could spark a blaze.