Napa County Glass Fire Latest: 46K Acres Burned, 2% Containment

NAPA COUNTY, CA — The Glass Fire continued to grow Tuesday in Napa and Sonoma counties, engulfing 46,600 acres by 7 p.m. with 2 percent containment.

"Firefighters continue to focus on structure defense in both Sonoma and Napa Countiestoday while also building and reinforcing containment lines," Cal Fire's Sonoma Lake Napa Unit said in an evening update. "Changing winds led to some areas of increased fire activity. Some evacuations in the City of Santa Rosa were downgraded. Firefighters will continue to aggressively fight the fire overnight. Aircraft operations were inhibited by smoky conditions and poor visibility. Hot dry weather is anticipated over the next several days."

Some 22,310 structures remain threatened by the Glass, Shady and Boysen fires burning in the two North San Francisco Bay Area counties. Cal Fire confirmed at least 52 residences have been destroyed by the blaze in Napa County, while 28 homes have been lost in Sonoma County.

The blaze sparked early Sunday in the Deer Park area outside St. Helena, then spread to Sonoma County and into the city of Santa Rosa.

While the beloved, family-owned Chateau Boswell Winery burned in St. Helena, nearby Duckhorn Vineyards was spared. Duckhorn, widely acclaimed for its Merlot, was a staple at President Ronald Reagan's table and served at President Barack Obama's inauguration luncheon, the Washington Post reported.

Calistoga's Castello di Amorosa, a replica of a 13th century Italian castle and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Napa County, lost its farmhouse with all of its bottled wine, some wine tanks and offices in the fire, though the castle remains standing, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

A state of emergency was declared for the two counties Monday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who also requested a presidential major disaster declaration in order to bolster response to the Glass Incident and other destructive wildfires across the state.

Evacuation Orders

A previously issued evacuation warning for all areas west of state Highway 29 and state Highway 128/Foothill Boulevard to the county line, between Diamond Mountain Road and Petrified Forest Road, was upgraded Tuesday evening to an evacuation order.

In addition, a new evacuation warning was issued for residents west of state Highway 128 / Foothill Boulevard to the county line; and for those north of Petrified Forest Road to the county line.

Mandatory evacuation orders went into effect earlier Tuesday for the entire city of Angwin and parts of Pope Valley, the Napa County Office of Emergency Services said. This included everything south of Chiles Pope Valley Road, east of Ink Grade Road and west of Pope Valley Cross Road.

"All evacuation warnings in the Angwin area have been upgraded to an evacuation order," Napa County OES said.

The city of Calistoga has been under mandatory evacuation orders since Monday evening.

"There is no repopulation or lifting of the mandatory evacuation order anticipated in the near term," city of Calistoga officials said Tuesday. "Fire exists in the hills above Silverado Trail north and east of town, no fire has entered the Calistoga city limits, nor has there been any damage or loss within the city limits as of this posting."

Beginning Tuesday night, access to Calistoga was expected to be severely limited with hard road closures and roadblocks to facilitate the flow of fire and utility personnel, the city said.

"If you have not yet evacuated you should do so," the city of Calistoga said. "If you choose not to evacuate you must remain on your own property."

The fire was approaching state Highway 29 north of the city but had not yet crossed the highway as of 7 p.m. And while flames came up to the Calistoga city limits, there was not yet any fire within the city limits as of 7 p.m.

The city's fire department was monitoring fire activity on Diamond Mountain where the fire crossed Diamond Mountain Road in some places.

"The Fire Department continues to patrol Calistoga for embers and potential spot fires," the city said. "The Calistoga Police Department and additional law enforcement are patrolling the City. If Police Officers encounter residents or civilians out on the street, officers will make contact to enforce evacuation orders. The City of Calistoga contracts with North Bay Animal Services (NBAS) which can provide checks of animals or rescue of large and small animals for Calistoga residents within the city limits. NBAS can be contacted directly at (707) 762-6227."

Evacuees seeking shelter should go to the Napa County Evacuation Center which is set up at Crosswalk Community Church, 2590 First St., in Napa.

Napa County’s current wildfire evacuations and road closures are located in a map, searchable by address.

• ALSO SEE: 3 St. Helena Water Tanks Destroyed In Glass Fire, City Says

WATCH: Authorities Brief Media On Glass Fire In Napa, Sonoma Counties

#GlassFire is 46,600 acres and 2% contained. pic.twitter.com/DPd2qZmhbH
— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) September 30, 2020

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Glass Fire Engulfs 36,000 Acres In Napa, Sonoma Counties
• Historic Chateau Boswell Winery Burns Down; More Landmarks Lost
• Glass Fire Threatens 2,268 Napa County Homes; More Evacs Ordered

Patch staffer Courtney Teague contributed to this report.