Napa County Fires: FEMA Administrator Arrives In North Bay; Post Offices Reopen

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Cal Fire officials this morning released new containment numbers for several wildfires still burning in the North Bay, with the three largest fires being at least two-thirds contained. What was previously the largest of the North Bay wildfires until today — the Atlas Fire in Napa and Solano counties— has burned 51,064 acres and was 77 percent contained Tuesday. The fire started Oct. 8 off of Atlas Peak Road south of Lake Berryessa.

"Firefighters continue to strengthen perimeter control lines, provide structure defense and engage in tactical patrol," Cal Fire officials said. "As some residents are allowed to return to their homes, please drive carefully as emergency personnel are still working throughout the fire area."

The largest fire in the region is now the Nuns Fire, which started near state Highway 12 north of Glen Ellen on Oct. 8 and has burned 52,894 acres — 19,525 acres in Napa County and 33,369 acres in Sonoma County. It was 68 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire.

In Napa County, the Nuns Fire is being driven by steep slopes and dry fuel, and continues to progress to the east, according to Cal Fire.

RAW: Progress In Northern California Firefight

The Tubbs Fire, which started off of state Highway 128 and Bennett Lane near Calistoga in Napa County and spread to Santa Rosa and elsewhere in Sonoma County, was 82 percent contained after burning 36,432 acres, Cal Fire officials said.

There are other smaller wildfires burning in the area, including the 12,430-acre Pocket Fire near Geyserville that was 58 percent contained as of this morning, and the Oakmont Fire that has burned 1,029 acres and was 16 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

At least 22 people have died in the fires in Sonoma County, while at least six have died in Napa County.

The Atlas Fire has destroyed 360 homes, businesses and other structures, and damaged some 55 others. Tuesday morning, Cal Fire said 986 structures were still being threatened by the wildfire.

The fires in Sonoma County have destroyed more than 4,000 structures and damaged 238 others, with more than 25,000 structures still threatened by the blaze Tuesday, according to Cal Fire.

Here are some things to know today in Napa County:

• FEMA Administrator Brock Long is visiting Sacramento and Sonoma and Napa counties Tuesday to meet with survivors, volunteers and government officials. Long is among local, state and federal officials slated to speak at a late-afternoon briefing at Napa Valley College.
• Mandatory evacuations for Green Valley Road were lifted at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Wild Horse Valley Road, east of Green Valley Road, remains under mandatory evacuation. The road closure at Green Valley and Wild Horse Valley roads will be moved to allow access for Green Valley Road only.
• At 5 p.m. Tuesday, mandatory evacuations of Partrick Road will be lifted, as will the road closures. Not all homes will have utilities but county officials say PG&E continues its work toward restoring service for all customers. Returning residents may experience traffic interruptions because of utilities and fire equipment in the area. Information about precautions to take when returning home after a wildfire is posted at PG&E's website and at Fire.ca.gov.
• Cal Fire officials say they have noticed some citizens placing balloons along their fences or properties as a sign of gratitude; however, Cal Fire asks people to please refrain from using metallic or mylar balloons. "Although we appreciate the outpouring support ... if the balloons make contact to the overhead power lines, there is a high potential for fires. This could also affect the electric service to an entire neighborhood, as well as property damage and serious personal injury."
• Four U.S. Postal Service offices in Napa County — the St. Helena, Calistoga, Rutherford and Oakville post offices — reopened Tuesday morning after wildfires forced the closure of the facilities. "The Postal Service wants to thank all our customers for their patience during this period of disruption caused by the wildfires in the area," USPS officials said in a statement.
• Despite widespread concern of looting over the past week due to the wildfires in the North Bay, there have been minimal reports of looting in Napa County, according to the district attorney's office. On Monday, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said in a statement that there have been less than five arrests for looting in the county since the the fires started on Oct. 8. A strong law enforcement presence has likely deterred criminals from taking advantage of the tragedy, prosecutors said. Anyone who suspects someone is looting is encouraged to call 911. Residents who return to their homes and believe items have been stolen can call their local law enforcement agency.
• In response to the continued school closures during the Napa Complex fires, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley and the American Canyon Parks & Recreation Department have open their doors. The clubs are accepting all youth ages 6-18 in need of a safe indoor place to go during the day regardless of membership status. The service is offered for no cost. Hot lunch and an afternoon snack are offered at both locations. The Napa Clubhouse, 1515 Pueblo Ave., is offering the service from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 18-20. The American Canyon in the Community Gym, 100 Benton Way, is offering the service from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 18-20.

Patch will update this post throughout the day with Napa County fire-related information; please refresh the page for the latest.

SEE ALSO:

Sonoma County Fires: Sutter Hospital, Post Offices Reopen

Napa County Wildfires, 1 Week In: Containment Up; Recovery Process Begins

Sonoma County Wildfires, 1 Week In: Containment Up; Region Begins Recovery Process

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo: Smoke from the Nuns fire wafts over the Welcome to the Napa Valley sign, Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, in Oakville, Calif. State and local officials say they are trying to get people back into their homes, but they cautioned that it could take days and even weeks for neighborhoods hard hit by Northern California wildfires. (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)