More than 180,000 people have been forced to flee their homes after “historic” winds whipped up a wildfire in northern California’s wine country and forced the state’s largest utility company to cut electricity for millions to prevent more fires.

It's one of the biggest evacuations in Sonoma County's history, and California governor Gavin Newsom has now declared a state of emergency across the state, saying: "We’re deploying every resource available as we continue to respond to these fires and unprecedented high-winds."

The current wildfire, called the Kincade fire, started on Wednesday night and is only 10 per cent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday. Authorities expanded evacuation orders over the weekend, clearing out parts of Santa Rosa, which was devastated by a wildfire two years ago.

The blaze grew by almost 4,000 acres overnight into Sunday to 30,000 acres (47 square miles) and has destroyed almost 80 buildings.

Powerful winds and gusts of up to 90mph on Sunday are making the fire even more difficult to deal with, leading to “erratic fire behaviour” and sending embers travelling for miles, authorities warned.

Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Show all 32 1 /32 Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Firefighters battle a blaze at the Salvation Army Camp in Malibu Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Flames from the Camp fire burn near a home atop a ridge near Big Bend AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Cathy Fallon (centre) who stayed behind to tend to her horses during the Camp Fire, embraces Shawna De Long (left) and April Smith who brought supplies for the horses Reuters Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A helicopter drops flame retardant on a wildfire in Malibu Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures An air tanker drops water on the fire along the Ronald Reagan Freeway in Simi Valley AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures An abandoned car from fleeing residents of Paradise in the Pentz road area EPA Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A firefighter tackles the fire along the Ronald Reagan Freeway in Simi Valley AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A Jack In The Box fast food restaurant burns as the Camp fire moves through Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Yuba and Butte County Sheriff officers label a body bag AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Firefighters hose down trees on Bell Canyon Road, near Malibu AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A fire burns at the Salvation Army Camp Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A firefighting DC-10 makes a fire retardant drop over a wildfire in the mountains near Malibu Canyon Road AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Bins have melted and ballooned in the heat in Magalia, Butte County EPA Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Satellite image taken on 8 November shows plumes of smoke from the Camp Fire stretching across portions of Northern California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Firefighters battle the Camp Fire AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire Reuters Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Deputy Coroner Justin Sponhaltz, of the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, recovers human remains found at a home destroyed by the Camp Fire AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Buildings burn in Paradise, California EPA Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Local residents bring their horses to Zuma Beach and away from the Woolsey Fire in Malibu Reuters Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A used car dealership burns in Paradise, California Reuters Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Yuba and Butte County Sheriff officers inspect a burned vehicle after discovering remains nearby in Concow AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Firefighters battle the flames in Thousand Oaks Reuters Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Search and rescue teams work to evacuate patients from the burning Feather River Hospital in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Embers blow in the wind in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures In Butte County, the sky is filled with the smoke of the Camp Fire EPA Wildfires spread across California – in pictures Firefighters at work in Thousand Oaks Reuters Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AP Wildfires spread across California – in pictures The burned remains of a house and car are left after the Camp Fire in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California – in pictures A shop burns in Paradise, California AFP/Getty

The National Weather Service sad the fire was “potentially a historic event given the strength and duration of the winds”.

Utility firm Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has been shutting down parts of the power network over fears that gusts could knock down power lines and trigger more fires. It has left 2.3 million people across 38 counties without power.

The Sonoma County sheriff pleaded with residents in the evacuation zone to get out immediately, citing the 24 lives lost when a wildfire swept through the region two years ago.

“I’m seeing people reporting that they’re going to stay and fight this fire,” Mark Essick said. “You cannot fight this. Please evacuate.”

The Healdsburg area lost one of its historic attractions to the flames Sunday when embers carried by the winds sparked a blaze that engulfed the Soda Rock Winery whose buildings included a general store and post office founded in 1869. The winery was about 10 miles outside the town of Healdsburg.

Evacuations also hit inmates at the North County Detention Facility in Santa Rosa and about 100 Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital patients.

PG&E is shutting off parts of the power network to try to stop the fire from spreading

What sparked the current fires is unknown, but PG&E said a 230,000-volt transmission line near Geyserville malfunctioned minutes before that blaze erupted on Wednesday night.

The possible link between the wine country fire and a PG&E transmission line contained grim parallels to last year when most of the town of Paradise burned, killing 85 people in the deadliest US blaze in a century. State officials concluded a PG&E transmission line sparked that fire.

Another fire north of Los Angeles is now 55 per cent contained after it destroyed 18 structures. Nearly all the 50,000 Santa Clarita residents ordered to evacuate are now allowed back home after Santa Ana winds began to ease.

An air tanker drops fire retardant in the valley below in Healdsburg, California, on 26 October 2019 (AFP/Getty)

Marcos Briano returned to his neighbourhood on Saturday to find destroyed homes on his street. The 71-year-old said: “I’m thankful that nothing happened to my house, but I feel bad for my neighbours.”

Sheriff’s officials said human remains were found within the wide burn area, but it is unclear if the death is connected to the blaze.