Transmission Line Being Investigated As Possible Source Of Kincade Fire

(CNN) -- Firefighters continued to battle the Kincade Fire in California as the state's largest utility said a transmission line broke near the blaze's origin point minutes before it ignited.

The fire in Sonoma County has scorched 21,900 acres and destroyed at least 49 buildings, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire. About 2,000 residents remained under evacuation orders and the fire was 5% contained, officials said Friday morning.

In an incident report filed with state regulators Thursday, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) said that just before the fire started Wednesday night, one of PG&E's high-voltage transmission lines went out.

Swipe through photos of the Kincade fire below.

GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincaide Fire burns near a vineyard on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincaide Fire burns a hillside on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincaide Fire burns a hillside on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A firefighter drives through an area where the Kincaide Fire is burning on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincade Fire burns near a vineyard on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 10,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Embers swirl around a tree as the Kincade Fire burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Firefighters prepare to protect a structure as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 10,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Firefighters prepare to protect a structure as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 10,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A firefighter monitors the Kincaide Fire as it burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A firefighter monitors the Kincaide Fire as it burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincade Fire burns near a vineyard on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 10,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincade Fire burns next to a vineyard on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A Cal Fire firefighter monitors the Kincaide Fire as it burns a hillside on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Embers blow in the wind as the Kincaide Fire burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Embers blow in the wind as the Kincaide Fire burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Firefighters use a drip torch to light a back fire ahead of the Kincaide on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Trees burn as the Kincade Fire burns a hillside on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A cow stands on a hill as the Kincade Fire approaches on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Firefighters use a drip torch to light a back fire ahead of the Kincaide on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Embers blow in the wind as the Kincaide Fire burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A firefighter monitors the Kincaide Fire as it burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A tree burns as the Kincade Fire burns through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Fire trucks drive through an area where the Kincade Fire is burning on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A fire truck drives by a burning hillside as the Kincade Fire burns a hillside on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincaide Fire burns near a vineyard on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: The Kincaide Fire burns near a vineyard on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincaide Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Cows stand on a hill as the Kincade Fire approaches on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: A home burns as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on October 24, 2019 in Geyserville, California. Fueled by high winds, the Kincade Fire has burned over 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and has prompted evacuations in the Geyserville area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A photographer takes a photo amidst a shower of embers during the Kincade Fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Embers blow across a road as wind rips through the area during the Kincade Fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
A home is engulfed in flames as wind and embers rip through the area during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019.. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
A home is engulfed in flames as wind and embers rip through the area during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019.. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Flames engulf a home as wind and embers rip through the area during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Embers and smoke spread over a hillside during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
A fire truck drives past flames during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
A firefighter lights a back fire during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Embers blow in the wind during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Flames approach rolling hills of grape vines during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Embers and smoke spread over a hillside during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Embers blow across a road during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A fire truck heads towards flames during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
A firefighter lights a back fire during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Flames approach rolling hills of grape vines during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Embers blow in the wind as a tree trunk glows during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
A firefighter lights a back fire during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. - The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

PG&E intentionally had shut off power in the area Wednesday to prevent equipment from sparking wildfires during dangerous weather conditions. That transmission line was not supposed to be "de-energized" because it was not part of the public safety power shutoff, according to the company.

PG&E said it became aware of the outage at 9:20 p.m., and state fire officials said the blaze started around seven minutes later.

Bill Johnson, the utility's CEO, said it's too soon to tell what caused the fire or where it started. An investigation is underway.

"Cal Fire, the experts in this, will draw that ultimate conclusion," he said at a news conference Thursday night. "We still, at this point, do not know exactly what happened. Something happened and it de-energized itself."

Friday morning, the blaze remained one of nine active fires burning in the state, according to Cal Fire. Among the others was the Tick Fire north of Los Angeles, which had burned 3,950 acres and was 5% contained.

Thousands of people evacuated

The Kincade Fire prompted massive evacuations and destroyed 49 structures by Thursday, commercial and residential, fire officials said. Among the areas still under evacuation orders was all of Geyserville, north of San Francisco.

Firefighters are facing difficult conditions, Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean told CNN affiliate KPIX.

"The wind is definitely pushing the fire," he said Thursday. "The area has a lot of brush and indefensible terrain. It's hard to fight ... It's dark right now so we don't have any eyes in the sky ...They (the firefighters) definitely have a fight on their hands."

When PG&E intentionally cut power to about 179,000 customers, it was the second time this month the utility shut off power to hundreds of thousands of Californians.

In recent years, PG&E has been criticized for the role its equipment played in a series of catastrophic blazes, including last year's deadly Camp Fire.

More shutoffs and blazes

Hundreds of miles away in Southern California, more than 31,000 customers were in the dark Thursday night as a result of intentional power cuts there. Utility company Southern California Edison said an additional 386,000 customers are under consideration for more shutoffs.

The Agua Dulce area, where the Tick Fire is burning, was part of the ongoing intentional power outages, said Lois Bruce of Southern California Edison.

Fire risks will continue into the weekend

Critical fire conditions will hit Southern California on Friday, with gusts of up to 70 mph expected, along with relative humidity in the single digits and temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s, CNN Meteorologist Haley Brink said. Red flag warnings are in place for more than 18 million people in California, which means soaring temperatures, low humidity and strong winds will increase fire dangers.

"Another round of very strong winds combined with dry fuels and critically low relative humidity values will be present in Northern California, throughout the Sacramento Valley beginning Saturday night into Sunday," she said. "A fire weather watch has been issued for over 7 million people throughout from Redding down to Sacramento, including the surrounding regions."

Kincade and Tick are among the largest of nine fires burning in the state Friday morning, according to Cal Fire. The other seven are either fully contained or have burned less than 145 acres.

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