Valley Fire Roars Through 40,000 Acres in 12 Hours

The Valley wildfire was reported at 1:24 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Just 12 hours later it had roared through 40,000 acres, sent four firefighters to the hospital with burns and leveled an unknown number of homes.

The fire began in Lake County, and evacuations soon spread into Napa County. So far, the town of Middletown appears to have suffered the greatest loss, with dozens of structures burned.

No deaths have been reported. Four firefighters from Copter 104 suffered second-degree burns in the fire, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said. They were airlifted to a burn unit in Sacramento. No injuries have been reported to residents.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for miles in the direction the flames are traveling.

In Napa County, the Office of Emergency Services has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Pope Valley North of Pope Valley Garage and Howell Mountain Road North due to the Valley Fire; and Berryessa Estates.

A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Calistoga Fairgrounds in Napa County, in addition to shelters in Lake County.

Livestock owners report on social media that they’ve turned horses, cattle, and even alpacas loose to flee to safety.

Cal Fire spokesman Berlant reports that the wind-driven wildfire hopscotched, jumping up to a half mile ahead multiple times. The fire continued to grow through the night even though temperatures were down, the humidity was up and the wind had calmed.

Governor Jerry Brown has issued a State of Emergency for Lake and Napa counties.

Fire containment: zero.

Evacuation Center

Residents who fled the Valley Fire literally ran for their lives. Some left so fast they didn’t even grab their cell phones, leaving them without a lifeline to family and friends.

Between 200 and 500 people ended up at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga, opened as an evacuation center by the Red Cross. They streamed in throughout the night. Cots were set up in a building, but many more people slept in RVs, tents, even their cars. A better estimate of how many people are at the evacuation center is expected when breakfast is is finished.

• CALISTOGA RESIDENTS: Volunteers needed at the fairgrounds

The Red Cross is working on getting phones for people to reach out to family.

Many of the evacuees are from Middletown and witnessed homes and businesses burning. They are desperate for news on their own homes. Middletown is a town of 1,300 people.

Also See:

• Updated: Mandatory Evacuation Ordered for Berryessa Estates
• Fire Evacuation Center Set Up in Napa County

Photo #1 credit alondra.rincon via Instagram

Photo #2 credit Peggy Rose via Instagram @sfmoffett

Photo #3 credit Al Francis

Photo #4 credit Al Francis

Map courtesy Google Maps