Thursday morning update:Not much change, although there is some progress on containment. The expected high winds did not materialize last night but the air quality is a disaster — very unhealthy. Most schools are closed because of the bad air. Everyone is hoping they make good progress on containing these fires today.
Wednesday Afternoon Update: Not much change, still very little containment. However the Atlas Peak Fire came over the mountain and is now in my county, but probably 20 miles away at least. Everyone is worried about what will happen when the winds pick up tonight. No end in sight.
On the good side, Sonoma County is working very hard to find missing people and have found nearly 300 people reported missing.
Wednesday Morning Update:
At least five wineries burned down, many others were damaged. No one is saying how much the fires are contained, there will be an update at 1PM (Pacific). Parts of Calistoga have now been evacuated because the big Santa Rosa fire has turned and is heading that way. Evacuations have expanded in Napa with one fire moving south and others moving east from Sonoma County. The large fire in Napa, Atlas Peak, still has no containment. In case you couldn’t tell by my company’s name I lived in Napa for many years and now live about 15 miles south. It’s been tough this week so far. Although I have no way of knowing what things will be like on Wednesday when you read this, right now, Tuesday morning, things still pretty much suck. Since I am having trouble concentrating, I thought today I’d give you some background and context because even the local news isn’t getting much right, so who knows what you guys are seeing. We don’t get rain in California between April (ish) and November (ish). It’s called a Mediterranean climate. It means that by September or so everything has completely dried out and even the grass is dirt colored. It’s dusty too. It’s also the time of year when we get our hottest weather. A friend of my Mom’s had come to Napa and told my Mom she had hated it. When my Mom told me this, I immediately replied “Oh, she was here in September.” I love it here but September and October are trying. And because it has been hotter than usual this summer, things are pretty dry. When it’s hot and dry with high winds we get fire warnings. Sunday through Monday had extremely dry (as in desert dry) humidity, and very high, dry winds. Although not particularly hot, the conditions were very favorable for fire and even more favorable that fires would spread quickly, which they did. In Napa, the city, there are three fires. The one you saw on the news on Atlas Peak near the Silverado Country Club, one on the West side of town high in the hills, and the third near the southeast corner of town. Further north a fire started on the west side of the Valley near Calistoga that spread west and joined other fires in Santa Rosa that caused enormous devastation. Those are the Sonoma County fires you see on the news. The Napa fires and probably the others have not been contained as of Tuesday afternoon. The areas are often wilderness with only dry creeks because of the time of year. It’s hard to get in and to keep the fire from running away. There is a fire down the highway from me, near the other end of this state highway. It is in an uninhabited area, 100 acres, and not contained. Happily for me, most of the land between it and our house has flooded wetlands, part of the North Bay marsh reclamation project. I was very happy about this because it’s beautiful, but I’m even more happy now. The conditions are better today with higher humidity, little wind and not quite as hot. So we are hopeful things will be better by Tuesday night. But the winds are shifting and the humidity is supposed to go down Tuesday night, so things might be worse by the time you read this because nothing is contained yet. Another fire warning starting Wednesday night for 24 hours. And the air quality is the worst I have ever seen. If you live in Napa you probably do not have power, cell phone service, or land lines. You may not have gas. If you live in Santa Rosa things are much, much worse. Many houses have burned as have stores, restaurants and other businesses. As of 4 PM Tuesday, the big fires in Sonoma and Napa Counties have consumed the same amount of acreage, but in Sonoma County it been in the suburbs while in Napa it’s been mostly, but not completely, wildlands. If you love wine it is also not happy. Most of the grapes have been harvested, but those still on the vines are in danger. Burned vines, unlike flooded ones, do not grow back. They will need to be replanted and don’t yield for 3-5 years. Wine in barrels and fermenting can take on smoke odors, possibly ruining the wines. Because many wineries store previous years’ vintages for aging if the winery goes, so does all that. It could be devastating to Napa and Sonoma Counties. In Napa to contact the outside world you go to a WiFi hotspot and call out. Stores and cafes with WiFi are allowing access without passwords. Many folks are taking advantage of this to let folks know they are OK. All my friends up there have done this, which is a comfort. The fires have not, so far, burned down to the city limits and it appears the property damage in the area is less than was feared. All this is small, but it’s something. Update 11 PM Tuesday: There is a small amount of containment, but a new fire broke out, on top of the mountain near my old house. Evacuations further up the mountain. The firefighters are trying to build breaks south of the fires so that when the wind changes tomorrow the fires won’t jump in that direction. They are working to restore power and the local cable company is bringing around mobile WiFi hotspots so folks can contact people. The sky is very hazy with smoke and I have been smelling it since about 3 AM Monday morning. I live on an island that is ringed with water and wetlands with the closest fire about 15 miles away and across lots of water. No expected fire danger here. All of which is nice. Except that with the smoke I have a fearsome headache and can’t concentrate. I can’t even think enough to do mindless needlepoint. So I’m just going to go off and look for the latest. Wednesday’s air quality is supposed to be very unhealthful. In other words, don’t go outside unless you have to. I’m updating as I’m able. Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her familyContext
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Paula Koch says
So so sad and devastating. I love Napa anytime of the year.
In my thoughts and prayers.
Jane Burton says
I live in San Diego. We have been dreading this fire season since we had so much rain last winter and so much grew. Things are very dry and brown here also. I wish you well. Put towels under the doors – you will probably need to wipe up the black soot that will still manage to get in. A few years ago we had a huge fire here, and though the closest blazes were 2 miles away it looked like it was snowing by our home. The ashes covered everything. We were wiping up soot off every surface – both inside and out.
Darcy Walker says
Thank you for sharing this update – so devastating. Just went out and bought several bottles of my favorite California wines before price hikes begin.
Be careful with the air – even on a island you might want to evacuate. Good luck
Kim Stern says
Be safe Janet. My sister is in Santa Rosa, her house was standing yesterday but fire a mile away. No electricity but am able to text her. As of this morning things going from bad to worse. They evacuated Sunday at 3a & are holder up in a hotel in Petaluma. My niece & nephews father lost his home.
I’ve been thinking of you & actually started sending you an email. Kim
Janet M Perry says
I feel for your family. It’s so hard.
Nancy Cascio says
Thank you so much for background and what is really happening…as is everyone, so very sorry for the loss, the pain and heartache people are experiencing. Such a beautiful part of our country being decimated..my thoughts and prayers extended to all
judy fenner says
I hope all is well for you this is so sad to see
Pam says
We are getting your news on TV here in Aus. From experience I know how bad it can be. We have been very lucky here (Bairnsdale, Victoria) the last few years but I arrived home from a trip to Queensland a few years ago to find burnt leaves all over the lawn and the following day the sky turned a red/black and we had to fill the spouting and get ready to evacuate as the last time there was trouble the fire came down the river and it is between us and the town. Thankfully the fires didn’t reach us and our daughter who lived further out was OK but had a view of the flames. Makes you really feel for anyone in a fire situation.
Helene Moser says
Thank you for the updates. I’ve been worried about you, but assumed you were safe because your emails keep coming. We invested in a winery up in Napa and fortunately it hasn’t sustained any damage. We also have a fire down here in Orange County – the Canyon 2 Fire. It is certainly not anywhere near as bad as you are experiencing. Our old neighborhood was evacuated the first night but everyone is fine. We are far enough away that we are only getting some ash and smoke smell. The winds are blowing the smoke elsewhere. Stay safe.
Janet M Perry says
Most places up here are even out of face masks. So I’m not going anywhere.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Martha says
I am hoping you stay safe.
Nancy Green says
Thanks for the in depth reports. What news we get here in Texas snd the midwest is very general. Our thiughts are with all of you who are at risk.
Keep up the good work Janet. We appreciate the information
Janet M Perry says
Thanks. I’ll post updates today as soon as I get my reports.
Keep stitching,
Janet