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Wildfire Threatens Power Plants In Sonoma County

THE GEYSERS (CBS/AP) -- A late-season wildfire has destroyed one structure and threatened multiple geothermal power plants in Sonoma County.

California fire officials say by Saturday morning the McCabe Fire had burned about 2,000 acres, mostly on land owned by Calpine Corp. in The Geysers, a large geothermal energy production area. It was not contained at all.

CalFire spokesman Scott McLean says Calpine evacuated nonessential employees and more than a dozen homes are threatened.

Nearly 800 firefighters have been deployed to contain the blaze, which is being fueled by strong winds and dry conditions.

The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain near the border of Sonoma and Lake counties.

Officials say firefighters are gaining control of a wildfire that had burned about 300 acres in neighboring Napa County.

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