Nearly 200,000 Californian residents have been evacuated as the ongoing wildfires continue to tear through the state, burning thousands of hectares of land and destroying hundreds of structures including homes.

Governor Gavin Newsom this morning (AEDT) declared a statewide emergency as meteorologists predict the fires will worsen, fanned by gusty winds and dry conditions.

“We are deploying every resource available and are co-ordinating with numerous agencies as we continue to respond to these fires,” Mr Newsom said.

Evacuation orders have been issued for 180,000 residents in the state’s northern Sonoma County where the Kincade fire has destroyed about 12,000 hectares. Only about 10% of the fire, the biggest of several blazes in the state, is contained so far.

Major power supplier Pacific Gas & Electric has shut off power to about 960,000 customers to reduce the risk of more fires.