Valley Fire Survivors Embark on Trek Down Long Road to Recovery

Written by Al Francis

Photos by Al Francis, NapaSonomaPhotos.com (See more photos below the story)
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For a week after the catastrophic Valley Fire sparked on Sept. 12, the California Highway Patrol had roads closed to the devastated areas of Middletown, Cobb Mountain and Hidden Valley with 1,050 homes and other buildings destroyed, and at least three lives lost in the firestorm.

But by Sunday afternoon the roadblocks that, at first, only let residents pass, were completely removed. But the long road to recovery is daunting.

The Red Cross Evacuation Center for fire victims at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga was baking in 100 degree weather on Sunday, but things were low key with giant water coolers and fans blowing some cool air.

Several buildings provided shelter, and a few evacuees were able to watch the San Francisco 49ers get clobbered and the Oakland Raiders put on a great show in NFL action shown on flat screens on a Verizon disaster vehicle. Those disinterested in football were able to use computers inside.

AT&T also had a booth at the evacuation center where victims who did not have cell phones could make calls. The telecommunications giant also assisted resdents in turning off landlines and other services. Cell phone charging stations were provided, with little cell phone lockers to provide security while they were being charged.

There was also live music at the Calistoga center.

So much has been donated that some goods have been boxed and put on pallets for shipping. Mountains and mountains of goods have been brought to the Napa County Fairground--so much so that the place is overflowing.

Other Red Cross Shelters were set up in Middletown--at a church in downtown and a casino south of town. However, at the casino a person advised that the site was a “sovereign state” and those in charge could decide who can come onto the property, even with the Red Cross set up there.

At an unofficial evacuation center set up at the Walmart parking lot in Lower Lake, breakfast was served by locals who have been assisting evacuees who have taken refuge in motor homes, cars and tents. People have been donating blankets and other items.

An army of utility workers, especially Pacific Gas and Electric, have been working long hours to replace the hundreds if not thousands of utility poles that have burned and the miles and miles of cable that needs to be replaced.

AT&T crews were seen working on lines and have set up portable cell phone towers in Middletown.

Insurance agents were meeting with home owners Sunday whose homes have burned down. Lots of motorhomes, travel trailers and 5th wheelers are now standing where homes once stood.

Power is back on in downtown Middletown but, besides the gas station, the only local business that had it’s doors open was an auto repair shop.