Napa County Old Fire Latest: Crews Battle Fire Overnight, Evacs Lifted

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A vegetation fire that erupted Tuesday in Napa Valley wine country, threatening homes and wineries, was 570 acres and 20 percent contained as of 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Evacuations were lifted but the road closure at Soda Canyon Road and Silverado Trail remained in effect Wednesday.

Only residents are permitted to return to the evacuation area, the Napa County Office of Emergency Services said.

"We are not officially reporting any damaged, lost or destroyed structures at this time," Cal Fire Spokesperson Eric Hernandez told Patch.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: The wildfire, which has been dubbed the Old Fire, broke out around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 2300 block of Old Soda Springs Road, the Napa County Office of Emergency Services said in a Nixle alert.

Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit in a tweet at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday said the Old Fire was 200 acres and 5 percent contained, with structures threatened.

"Firefighters continue to make progress," Cal Fire said.

By 9 p.m. Tuesday, the fire reportedly reached 570 acres and was still 5 percent contained.

"Fire is much less active now and firefighters will work through the night to contain and control the fire," Cal Fire said.

Evacuation orders were lifted shortly before midnight for residents from the 1300 block of Soda Canyon Road to the end of that road.

"Napa County residents previously issued an evacuation order are permitted to return home," Napa County Office of Emergency Services said. "Only residents of the area are permitted access at this time. Please use extreme caution when returning as there is emergency personnel still assigned to the incident."

An evacuation center that was opened earlier in the night at Crosswalk Community Church was closed, the county said in an update at 11:52 p.m. Tuesday.

Soda Canyon is in the hills north of the City of Napa and Silverado Country Club. The area is dotted with homes and wineries.

Authorities said a road closure at Soda Canyon Road and Silverado Trail was in effect until further notice.

Napa Community Animal Response Team was activated; those in need of evacuation assistance for large animals or livestock were told to call 707-732-1555.

For other questions about the Old Fire, the Cal Fire/Napa County Fire Department set up a public information call center at 707-967-4207.

This is a developing story; refresh your screen for the latest updates.