NAPA VALLEY, CA — Firefighters stopped a fire in Napa Valley Sunday afternoon, while a separate roadway emergency shut down Rutherford Cross Road in Rutherford after a massive oak tree collapsed across the roadway.
Emergency officials said Rutherford Cross Road is now open between 1151 and 1165 Rutherford Cross Road. Access to both Highway 29 and Silverado Trail was blocked over the weekend after a massive oak collapsed. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes until crews safely removed the tree and reopened the corridor. Authorities sent an alert at 7:18 a.m. today that the roadway is again accessible.
On Sunday, CalFire reported a blaze had broken out near the 800 block of Friesen Road in Angwin. Initial reports at 2:04 p.m. described a two-acre vegetation fire burning at a moderate rate of spread with wind pushing flames through the area.
CalFire said crews surrounded the blaze — called the Whisper Fire — with hose lines while a helicopter made repeated water drops overhead.
By Sunday evening, firefighters had established containment lines around the perimeter and stopped the fire’s advance. A 5:30 p.m. update said improved mapping determined the fire ultimately burned 3.3 acres, less than earlier estimates of four to five acres.
Firefighters remained at the scene Sunday night for clean-up operations. Officials said crews expected to stay for about two more hours to strengthen control lines and extinguish lingering hot spots.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Napa Valley, CA Patch
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