Pope Fire Erupts In St. Helena, Prompts Evacuations

NAPA VALLEY, CA — A wildfire erupted Monday afternoon in St. Helena and prompted mandatory evacuations.

The Pope Fire broke out around 5 p.m. Monday near Pope Street and Silverado Trail, on Howell Mountain in the Ridgeview area of St. Helena.

As of 8:56 p.m., the blaze was 80 percent contained at 5 acres, with forward progress stopped, according to Cal Fire which was assisting the St. Helena Fire Department with the incident.

Members of the Napa County Sheriff's Office and the St. Helena Police Department carried out mandatory evacuations shortly after 7 p.m. for some residents near Pope Fire on Howell Mountain in the Ridgeview area and other parts of the mountain.

At 9:14 p.m. Monday, the sheriff's office said evacuation orders were lifted but Silverado Trail would remain closed in both directions from Pope Street to Zinfandel Lane until at least 1 a.m. Tuesday.

The fire has not breached 5 acres, authorities said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.