LOS ANGELES — A tree branch crashing on to power lines ignited the wind-driven Getty Fire that forced evacuation of more than 7,000 homes, fire officials have confirmed.

“The fire was deemed an accidental start, caused by a tree branch that broke off and subsequently landed in nearby power lines during high wind conditions,” Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said. “This errant tree branch caused the sparking and arcing of the power lines, igniting nearby brush.”

Gusty winds were threatening to further spread wildfires that are already burning up and down California on Wednesday, putting thousands of residents on alert for another wave of evacuation orders.

The winds sweeping the parched state have been blamed for three deaths. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office said the bodies of Edward and Iva Poulson were found Monday in their Jeep after a tree toppled onto the vehicle in high winds. And And the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported that a homeless woman died Sunday after being crushed by a tree topped in high winds.

‘Here we go again’: Weary Californians seek shelter amid latest wildfire outbreak

In Los Angeles, officials stationed crews at fire-prone locations in an effort to quickly extinguish any new blazes. “Extreme” red-flag warnings took effect at 11 p.m. Tuesday and were expected to persist into Thursday night, bringing the potential for “rapid fire spread” and “extreme fire behavior,” according to the National Weather Service.

“It takes one ember, just one ember downwind, to start another brush fire,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas.

Low humidity, dry fuel and sustained winds up to 55 mph conspired to test firefighters, who had contained 15% of the 656-acre Getty Fire by Tuesday evening. The flames had injured one firefighter and destroyed or damaged 18 buildings. Nearby neighborhoods should be prepared to flee, authorities warned.

“This all adds up to an extreme fire weather threat, meaning that conditions are as dangerous for fire growth and behavior as we have seen in recent history,” Stewart said.

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Firefighters try to save a home on Tigertail Road from the Getty fire, Oct. 28, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Woodbridge firefighter Joe Zurilgen passes a burning home as the Kincade Fire rages in Healdsburg, Calif., on Oct 27, 2019.
A fire truck heads towards flames during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019. 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.
A firefighter monitors the Kincade Fire as it burns through the area on Oct. 24, 2019 in Geyserville, Calif. The fire broke out in spite of rolling blackouts by utility companies in both northern and Southern California.
Flames approach rolling hills of grape vines during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
Residents monitor conditions as the Kincade Fire approaches in unincorporated Somoma County, Calif., near Geyserville on Oct. 24, 2019. Their home remains without power as Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut utilities to prevent wildfires from sparking during dry and windy conditions.
A firefighter lights a back fire during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, Calif on Oct. 24, 2019.
Embers blow in the wind as the Kincade Fire burns through the area on Oct. 24, 2019 in Geyserville, Calif..
Embers fly across a road as the Kincade Fire burns through the Jimtown community of Sonoma County, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
Flames from the Kincade Fire consume a car in the Jimtown community of Sonoma County, Calif., on Oct. 24, 2019.
Firefighters put out hots spots as the Kincade Fire burns in the hills above Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
A home burns near a vineyard after the Kincade Fire burned through the area on Oct. 24, 2019, in Geyserville, Calif.
A pile of ash and debris burns along the roadside after the Kincade Fire burned through the area near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
A firefighter sprays water on a home, as another building burns after the Kincade Fire burned through the area near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
Firefighters protect a structure as the Kincade Fire moves through the area on Oct. 24, 2019, in Geyserville, Calif.
A structure burns after the Kincade Fire moved through the area on Oct. 24, 2019, in Geyserville, Calif.
A firefighter sprays water on a home, as another building burns after the Kincade Fire burned through the area near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
A sign at the entrance of the drive-thru at Starbucks warns customers the store is closed due to a power outage in Paradise, Calif., on Oct. 24, 2019. The Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power to 17 counties in Northern California to help prevent wildfires caused by downed power lines.
Brian Boyd checks one of the generators used to provide power at the Clear Creek Crossing store near Paradise, Calif., on Oct. 24, 2019. The Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power to 17 counties in Northern California to help prevent wildfires caused by downed power lines. Boyd said generators were brought to the store to provide power to the refrigerators and to provide some service to area residents.
Dawn Russell straightens a clothing rack at Bobbi's Boutiques in Paradise, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.The Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power to 17 counties in Northern California to help prevent wildfires caused by downed power lines. Bobbi's is open during the blackout.
Cal Fire and inmate crews walk the fire line while fighting a wildfire in Sonoma County near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct 24, 2019.
An inmate hand crew works the fire line to fight a wildfire in Sonoma County near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct 24, 2019.
A helicopter passes a smoke plume as the Kincade Fire burns in unincorporated Sonoma County, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
Cal Fire Captain Whitney Wong works the fire line to fight the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct 24, 2019.
Patricia Dennison uses a hose to try to stop an advancing wildfire from affecting her business, Dennison Automotive on Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Brando Mani covers his face from the smoke created by a wildfire as he walks along Highway 14 on Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
A firefighter makes a stand as a wildfire approaches the backyard of a home on Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
A Cal Fire firefighter hops over a locked gate while working the Tick fire on Oct. 24, 2019 in Canyon Country, Calif.
A building is engulfed in flames at a vineyard during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2019.
A firefighter prepares to fight a wildfire as it overtakes a home, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
A firefighter works the scene of a wildfire-ravaged home, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
LA County Fire work a house fire at a home on Sequoia Road in Santa Clarita, Calif., as pictures lay on the lawn during the Tick fire on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. An estimated 50,000 people were under evacuation orders in the Santa Clarita area north of Los Angeles as hot, dry Santa Ana winds howling at up to 50 mph drove the flames into neighborhoods.
Firefighters extinguish a house set on fire by the Tick Fire in a neighborhood near Santa Clarita, Calif. on Oct. 25, 2019.
Firefighters, in yellow, and inmates, in orange, put out the embers of the Tick Fire in a hill of Agua Dulce near Santa Clarita, Calif. on Oct. 25, 2019.
Firefighters try to put out a residence fire caused by a wildfire Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. An estimated 50,000 people were under evacuation orders in the Santa Clarita area north of Los Angeles as hot, dry Santa Ana winds howling at up to 50 mph drove the flames into neighborhoods.
Mary, no last name given, sits on her wheelchair next to her dog Manny, outside of the gym at West Ranch High School after being evacuated from the Tick Fire Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Debris from a hilltop home smolders after being burned by the Tick Fire, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Firefighters, in yellow, and inmates, in orange, put out the embers of the Tick Fire in a hill of Agua Dulce near Santa Clarita, Calif. on Oct. 25, 2019. According to latest news report 4300 acres have burned, along with some houses and facilities.
A building stands burned by the Tick Fire with charred landscape in the distance on Oct. 25, 2019 in Canyon Country, California. The fire has burned 4,300 acres thus far with around 40,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.
Inmate firefighters march past an American flag, while led by a fire captain, as they work to put out hot spots from the Tick Fire on Oct. 25, 2019 in Canyon Country, Calif. The fire has blackened 4,300 acres thus far with around 40,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders. The inmates are from one of the 44 state prison fire camps, where inmates perform firefighting duties during the wildfire season, for credit for early release and minimal pay.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, wearing white shirt, tours a home destroyed by the Kincade fire on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Geyserville, Calif. Newsom declared a state of emergency Friday as wildfires scorch both ends of the state from Sonoma to Los Angeles.
Firefighters survey Soda Rock Winery as it begins to burn during the Kincade fire in Healdsburg, Calif. on Oct. 27, 2019. 
A firefighter walks pass a building burning out of control, as the Kincade Fire continues to burn in Healdsburg, Calif. Oct. 27,  2019. According to reports, the Kincade Fire has burned more than 25,000 acres and triggered mandatory evacuations of about 90,000 residents in the area.
A man walks past a burning home during the Getty fire, Oct. 28, 2019, in Los Angeles.
A firefighter tries to catch his breath after fighting flames from a wildfire, Oct. 28, 2019, in Los Angeles.
A firefighter watches a flames approach the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood during the Getty fire, Oct. 28, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Smoke and flames crawl down a hill overlooking the 405 Freeway in West Los Angeles.
A firefighting helicopter flies behind the Getty Museum while fighting the Getty Fire.
Los Angeles County Firefighters put out a house fire that was caused by the Getty Fire in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
A fire crew climbs up the side of a hill near the Getty Center to mop up spot fires in Los Angeles.
A helicopter drops water on the Gerry fire near the entrance of The Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Firefighters put out a house fire that was caused by the Getty Fire in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Firefighters put out a house fire that was caused by the Getty Fire in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Firefighters put out a house fire that was caused by the Getty Fire in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Damage near the Getty Center that was caused by the Getty fire.
Los Angeles County Firefighters put out a house fire that was caused by the Getty Fire in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Firefighters climb up a hill after putting out a hotspot behind Tigertail Road. The Getty fire started along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, 2019.
A helicopter dumps water onto a hillside overlooking the 405 Freeway north of the Getty Museum.
A Los Angeles City firefighter pulls a hose down Tigertail Road as crews mop up hotspots where several homes were destroyed Monday.
A Los Angeles City firefighter pulls a hose down Tigertail Road as crews mop up hotspot where several homes were destroyed Monday.
A plastic Halloween skull sits in front of a burned out home on Tigertail Road. The Getty fire started along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, 2019.
Firefighters mopped up hotspot in several burned out homes on Tigertail Road. The Getty fire started along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, 2019.
The Getty Fire burned right to the edge of Mt. St. Mary’s University where students were evacuated in the early morning hours of the fire. The Getty fire started along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, 2019.
A water dropping helicopter bombards a hillside overlooking the 405 Freeway just north of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles on Oct. 29, 2019.

In Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, firefighters battling the Kincade Fire faced another round of the “Diablo” winds. Sustained gusts between 20 and 30 mph could fan the 118-square-mile blaze, but pose less of a threat than winds recorded over the weekend. 

The wildfire had damaged or destroyed more than 200 buildings, including an 150-year-old winery, and was 15% contained Tuesday evening. Another 80,000 homes were threatened, prompting officials to keep 15 evacuation centers open. 

About 200,000 people had been forced from the area since the fire ignited last week, although officials have reduced some evacuation orders to evacuation warnings as firefighting efforts progressed. 

“Our hearts and prayers are with the firefighters out there doing a spectacular job, but with the situation so fluid, with the winds still blowing, we’re not through this yet,” said Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt. 

Breathing smoke: As wildfires foul California air, residents need respirator masks

Preemptive power shutoffs also weren’t over for nearly 1.5 million Northern and Central California residents. Pacific Gas & Electric turned off power in 29 counties Tuesday, marking its fourth shutoff this month and third in the last week. 

Southern California Edison warned that crews may cut off power for an additional 300,000 customers — mainly in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties — if conditions worsen this week.

The shutoffs, designed to reduce the risk of utility equipment sparking wildfires during strong wind events, have drawn criticism from residents and public officials. 

PG&E on Tuesday yielded to pressure from Gov. Gavin Newsom by announcing it will issue a bill credit for customers affected by the first shutoff this month. Residential customers will see a $100 credit in the next billing cycle and businesses will get $250, the utility said. Credits will not be issued for the subsequent shutoffs, PG&E said, because the company worked to improve how it notified customers. 

Why not just bury them? California power lines spark wildfires and prompt blackouts

“This is not an industry standard practice, nor approved as part of a tariff, but we believe it is the right thing to do for our customers in this case, given the challenges with our website and call center communications,” said the utility’s CEO and President Bill Johnson. 

The utility is also facing scrutiny amid Cal Fire’s investigation into the Kincade Fire’s origin. PG&E acknowledged last week a live, 230,000-volt transmission line malfunctioned minutes before the fire erupted Wednesday night. 

Contributing: Associated Press