CALIFORNIA — Anyone who thought fire season might be over need look no further than Napa/ Sonoma County area to have that notion dispelled.
Overnight, significant winds fanned over a dozen fires across Northern California.
Fifteen new wind-whipped wildfires in eight counties have already burned over 73,000 acres in the past 12 hours, says Cal Fire.
Firefighters have been challenged with winds gusting in excess of 50 mph, causing extreme rates of spread and volatile burning conditions.
Governor Brown has declared a State of Emergency in Napa, Sonoma and Yuba Counties.
One confirmed fatality has occurred in Mendocino County, with at least nine more deaths reported across the area and several reports of injuries to civilians. The focus continues to be the evacuations of thousands of residents and protecting property.
These fires have already burned an estimated 1,500 homes and commercial structures. Several Damage Assessment Teams have been activated to get a full account of the destruction.
Several hospitals had to be evacuated, and there is no end in sight. The fires are zero percent contained.
The strong winds are expected to decrease today, but Red Flag Warnings due to gusty winds and high fire risk remain in place across many parts of the State.
Residents across the state are urged to remain prepared for wildfires as extremely dry conditions continue. The potential for an increase in winds later in the week could challenge the efforts of firefighters.
**New Cal Fire Incidents**
Tubbs Fire
Sonoma and Napa County, between Calistoga and Santa Rosa
25,000 acres
Significant number of commercial and residential structures destroyed
Cal Fire Incident Management Team activated
Atlas Fire
Napa County, Altas Peak Roadd, south of Lake Berryessa and outside City of Napa
25,000 acres
Multiple structures destroyed
Cal Fire Incident Management Team activated
Redwood Complex, Mendocino County
Highway 20, Potter Valley and Redwood Valley area
10,000 acres
Highway 101 closed in both direction in Redwood Valley
Cal Fire Incident Management Team activated
Lobo Fire
Nevada County
Rough and Ready area
700 acres
Cal Fire Incident Management Team activated
McCourtney Fire
Nevada County
McCourtney Road, southwest of Grass Valley
150 acres, 10% contained
Cascade Fire
Yuba County
Maryville Road and Loma Rica Road, Loma Rica
7,200 acres, 5% contained
Pocket Fire
Sonoma County
Pocket Ranch Rd and Ridge Ranch Rd, Geyserville
500 acres
Sulphur Fire
Lake County
Highway 20 and Sulphur Bank Road, Clearlake Oaks
2,000 acres
Partrick Fire
Napa County
Partrick Road west of Napa
5,000 acres
Nuns Fire
Sonoma County
Highway 12 north of Glen Ellen
5,000 acres
Point Fire
Calaveras County
Highway 26 and Higdon Road, West Point
130 acres, 10% contained
LaPorte Fire
Butte County
Avacado Road and Dunstone Road, Bangor
3,500 acres
Cherokee Fire, Butte County
Cherokee Road and Zonalea Lane, Oroville
4,000 acres
Canyon 2 Fire
Orange County
Cherokee Road and Zonalea Lane, Oroville
1,000 acres
**Cal Fire Incidents**
Blue Fire
Humboldt County
Lake Blvd and Hwy 299, east of Eureka
20 acres, 50% contained
Jones Fire
Shasta County
Argonaut Trail and Dry Creek Road, Jones Valley
20 acres, 50% contained
Ridge Fire
Shasta County
Bartlett Springs Rd, community of Clearlake
87 acres, 75% contained
(Photo credit Craig Philpott https://twitter.com/cphilpottcraig?lang=en)
