SANTA ROSA, CA – SEPTEMBER 28: Gabriela Carr, 61, Julian Rizo, 9, Jordan Castaneda, 30, with their dogs Little Boy and Spanky, wait at an evacuation site after fleeing their homes during the Glass Fire in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The family also evacuated during the Tubbs Fire in 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
It’s becoming something of a tragic annual tradition for California’s wine country: Fast-moving flames terrorizing the region, turning the sky into a smoky orange haze, destroying dozens of homes and wineries in its wrath and forcing tens of thousands of residents to frantically flee from their homes.
In 2017, it was the Atlas, Nuns and Tubbs fires. Last year it was the Kincaid Fire. And just as the LNU Complex Fire — the fourth-largest wildfire in state history — was nearing full containment in Northern California, one of the last untouched sections of wine country erupted in flames Sunday when the Glass, Shady and Boysen blazes merged to create the Glass Fire.
CALISTOGA, CA - SEPT. 28: The Glass Fire burns behind the Kelly Fleming Wines in Calistoga, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Calistoga is under mandatory evacuation tonight. The evacuation order is in effect for everyone south of Lincoln Avenue. Evacuees are being urged to avoid using southbound Highway 29 to Napa, Petrified Forest Road and the Silverado Trail. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Russ Barsness puts water on a burning structure at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
CALISTOGA, CA - SEPT. 28: The Glass Fire burns in the hills of Calistoga, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Calistoga is under mandatory evacuation tonight. The evacuation order is in effect for everyone south of Lincoln Avenue. Evacuees are being urged to avoid using southbound Highway 29 to Napa, Petrified Forest Road and the Silverado Trail. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Bruce Lund checks his gas supply for his generator at his home along Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Lund and his wife Robyn Virts, who've lived there since 1986 and built the home themselves, decided not to evacuate and stayed to protect it from the Glass Fire. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
CALISTOGA, CA - SEPT. 28: Smoke billows into the sky as the Glass Fire burns in the hills of Calistoga, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Calistoga is under mandatory evacuation tonight. The evacuation order is in effect for everyone south of Lincoln Avenue. Evacuees are being urged to avoid using southbound Highway 29 to Napa, Petrified Forest Road and the Silverado Trail. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Young men from the Amador-Eldorado youth conservation camp cut a fire break from the Glass Fire along Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A piece of fruit is silhouetted during a smoky sunset along the Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Jim Taylor takes a brief rest as they put water on a structure fire at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: The charred trees at the entrance of the Chateau Boswell Winery after being destroyed by the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Burned bottles are seen as The Restaurant at Meadowood smolders at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A Cal Fire helicopter makes air drops as seen from the Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The remains of The Restaurant at Meadowood smolders at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Pieces of wood burn on the tennis courts at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: Eagle Field Fire Department firefighter Mark Jones extinguishes hot spots using a restored 1942 firetruck during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Russ Barsness puts water on a burning structure at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Gabriela Carr, 61, Julian Rizo, 9, Jordan Castaneda, 30, with their dogs Little Boy and Spanky, wait at an evacuation site after fleeing their homes during the Glass Fire in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The family also evacuated during the Tubbs Fire in 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Shady Fire destroys a home on Austin Lane in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
CALISTOGA, CA - SEPT. 28: Smoke bellows into the sky from the Glass Fire burning above in the hills of Calistoga, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Janette Johnston, 56, ponders the fate of her home while waiting at a Glass Fire evacuation site, Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Johnston spent many years homeless and worries about returning to homelessness. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Russ Barsness puts water on a structure at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: Napa County Sheriff deputy Lt. McMahon has to turn away from the radiant heat while extinguish a spot fire and helps save a house from burning on Crystal Springs Road during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: Eagle Field Fire Department firefighter Mark Jones drives a restored 1942 firetruck while battling the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Russ Barsness puts water on a structure at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Jim Taylor takes a brief rest as they put water on a structure fire at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: A home on Crystal Springs Road is destroyed by the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Karen and Jack Madigan, both in their 70s, use a transistor radio to get evacuation updates while sitting in the Honda Fit car that they slept in last night after evacuating their home during the Glass Fire, early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: A small outhouse catches fire at a home on Crystal Springs Road during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
CALISTOGA, CA - SEPT. 28: The mayor of Calistoga Chris Canning, left, chats with Ken Fons, of Calisgota, as the Glass Fire burns above in the hills of Calistoga, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: A charred rose can be seen in front fo the destroyed Chateau Boswell Winery in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 28: Charred grapes on a vineyard from the Chateau Boswell Winery have been destroyed from the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Flames from the Shady Fire rear up behind a bull dozer operator cutting a line along Highway 12 between Kenwood and Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Shady Fire destroys a home on Austin Lane in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A home along Mountain Hawk Drive burns as the Shady Fire moves through the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Firefighters work to protect nearby homes on Austin Lane as the Shady Fire burns in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A firefighter hoses down a burning home to help stop the spread of the fire to nearby homes in the Skyhawk community as the Shady Fire burns in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A home along Futura Way burns as the Shady Fire moves through the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Sonoma County Fire District firefighters battle the Shady Fire along Brigadoon Way in the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Shady Fire destroys homes in the Skyhawk community in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A home along Mountain Hawk Drive burns as the Shady Fire moves through the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Shady Fire burns a hillside behind homes along Rinaldo Street in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A firefighter works in front of a burned down home in the Skyhawk community as the Shady Fire burns in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A firefighter hoses down a burning home to help stop the spread of the fire to nearby homes in the Skyhawk community as the Shady Fire burns in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2020. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Firefighters are on the scene as a home along Mountain Hawk Drive burns as the Shady Fire moves through the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Sonoma County Fire District firefighters battle the Shady Fire along Brigadoon Way in the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A home along Futura Way burns as the Shady Fire moves through the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Embers rain down on a firefighter as a home explodes in flames from the Shady Fire burning along Mountain Hawk Drive in Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A home along Futura Way burns as the Shady Fire moves through the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A North County Fire Protection District of Monterey firefighter works to protect a home from the Shady Fire as the home next to it burns along Futura Way in the Skyhawk Community of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
The Shady Fire destroys homes on Mountain Hawk Drive in Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Firefighters are silhouetted against the Shady Fire as it destroys a home on Mountain Hawk Drive in Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Shady Fire claims a home on Mountain Hawk Drive in Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Shady Fire destroys homes on Mountain Hawk Drive in Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A bull dozer cuts a defensive firebreak as the Shady Fire approaches San Ramon Way in Santa Rosa, Calif., early Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: Firefighters battle the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: Firetrucks stop to stage on Silverado Trail during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A palm tree catches on fire while the wind blows embers into the air while on Silverado Trail during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A firefighter runs to his firetruck while protecting a home along Crystal Springs Road while battling the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: Trees catch on fire while the wind blows embers into the air on Silverado Trail during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: Smoke from the Glass Fire reaches high into the sky in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A firefighter glances up as trees begin to catch fire along Crystal Springs Road while battling the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A vineyard on Silverado Trail burns during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A vineyard on Silverado Trail burns during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A DC-10 tanker drops retardant while battling the Grass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns as seen from Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A firefighter pulls a hose while protecting a home along Crystal Springs Road while battling the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A fence and a structure burn by the tennis courts at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A house catches fire on Crystal Springs Road during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPT. 27: A house catches fire on Crystal Springs Road during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Thick, dark smoke from the Glass Fire obscures most of the Monday morning sky, Sept. 28, 2020, except for a small section of ridgeline along Calistoga Road east of Santa Rosa, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A piece of fruit is silhouetted during a smoky sunset along the Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
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Many of the same areas threatened and burned by the devastating Tubbs and Nuns blazes three years ago in Santa Rosa were scorched again when the Glass Fire exploded in size late Sunday and early Monday morning, placing almost 70,000 residents under evacuation orders or warnings by late Monday afternoon.
The devastating blaze spread from the eastern slope of the Napa Valley, across the mountains dividing Sonoma and Napa counties, and into the suburban neighborhoods of eastern Santa Rosa. And by late Monday, the entire city of Calistoga was under an evacuation order, along with parts of St Helena and other areas in Napa County.
“For some people, this is the third time since 2017 this has happened,” said Sonoma County Fire District fire marshal and division chief Cyndi Foreman. “It feels so demoralizing to have to watch your community go through this time of angst and agony year after year.”
Erratic offshore winds Sunday pushed a layer of hot, dry air into the region, fueling the fire as it swelled to 36,236 acres with 0% containment by 5 p.m. Monday. No injuries or deaths have been reported, and officials have not tallied the number of homes and structures lost to the fire so far, though more than 8,500 structures remain under threat, according to Cal Fire.
The cause of the Glass Fire remains under investigation. PG&E, whose infrastructure has been found responsible for sparking several of California’s most destructive wildfires, shut off power to about 37,000 customers in Napa and Sonoma counties at the request of firefighters.
According to eyewitnesses, at least 10 homes along Mountain Hawk Drive in Santa Rosa’s Skyhawk Community on the west side of the fire have been destroyed, and about 20 homes on Crystal Ridge Road in Saint Helena on the east side of the fire have been flattened.
ST. HELENA, CA – SEPT. 28: A home on Crystal Ranch Road is destroyed by the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
In addition, a handful of Napa County wineries and resorts have been damaged or destroyed, including the family-owned winery Chateau Boswell and the luxury Napa resort Meadowood, a gathering place for nearly 60 years. Meadowood guests and staff had been evacuated Sunday, so they were out of harm’s way when flames reached the 250-acre property around 3 a.m. Monday, according to Brett Anderson, a representative for Pacific Union, the resort’s parent company.
For many Santa Rosa residents who fled their homes in the early morning hours Monday, the experience was frighteningly familiar.
Jack and Karen Madigan, in their 70s, were awakened after midnight by an emergency alert telling them to flee. In their second-floor apartment, Jack collected his diabetic medications and they fled, leaving their packed bags inside because they didn’t want to waste time going up and down the stairs for them.
“You go through one or two and you think that’s the end of it and it’s not,” he said. “They seem to be getting worse each time.”
Although their home had been spared from the Tubbs Fire in 2017, they — like many others who remain in the region — are still rattled.
“We could feel the heat from the fire. We could see it. I was especially frightened, shaking,” said Karen, 75, a retired librarian. “It’s pretty stressful, and we’re not sure we can take it another year. We’re talking about moving away.”
Still, like all blazes, the Glass Fire has its share of people who refuse to leave despite the imminent danger. Sgt. Juan Valencia of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said deputies rescued multiple people early Monday morning who disregarded evacuations and “may have been burned in some areas.”
Kevin Mastel, 50, was determined to stay in his home along Highway 12 in Santa Rosa with his ailing aunt who is on oxygen. With the power out, Mastel was using a generator Monday afternoon to provide the energy he needed.
“I talked to a lot of people last night, and they said they’re not going to leave until it’s right there,” he said, pointing down the block. He’s been evacuated twice — during the Tubbs and Kincade fires — and figured his luck will endure.
And while winds were beginning to subside Monday afternoon, a red flag warning was extended across the region through Friday, signaling that hot, dry conditions could continue to make the job of firefighters more difficult.
“We caution folks that while it may not be being pushed into town at this point, we’ll get back into a scenario like we had with the Walbridge Fire, where we have the normal winds and an opportunity for wind fuel and slope alignment to create more significant fire runs,” said Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls.
ST. HELENA, CA – SEPT. 28: Napa County Sheriff deputy Lt. McMahon has to turn away from the radiant heat while extinguish a spot fire and helps save a house from burning on Crystal Ranch Road during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
As California heads into the peak of a historic wildfire season, more than 8,000 blazes already have burned 3.7 million acres across the state, killing 29 people and destroying more than 7,000 structures. The Glass Fire is currently one of 27 major fires burning across the Golden State.
More than 1,000 firefighters had been called in by Monday morning to tend to the Glass Fire as fire crews across the state remain stretched thin. In addition to the fires in Napa and Sonoma County, the Zogg Fire erupted overnight in Shasta County to 15,000 acres with 0% containment and prompted more evacuations just west of Redding, according to Cal Fire. Three people have been found dead. And in Butte County, winds forced authorities to order new evacuations for the North Complex Fire, which tore through the region Sept. 8 and has since killed 15 people. The evacuation orders include areas devastated by 2018’s Camp Fire — the deadliest wildfire in California’s history.
“With a fire like this, I can’t stress enough that there is never enough resources to do what you need to do what you need,” Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner said. “As much as we scraped to get as many resources at many levels, you only have so many, so you use them to the best of your ability.”
Cal Fire records show that the Glass Fire roared through one of the last territories in that part of Sonoma County that had avoided fires for more than a century — making it rich in vegetation that helped fuel its rapid growth.
“While it did burn very rapidly because it had not burned in a long long time … it did also make it into the Nuns and the Tubbs scars, and it did burn just as well there because that has been filled in with light flashy fuels like grass and some new brush,” Gossner said. “Every year brings new challenges, the grass burns much faster and it’s much harder to control when its pushed under those kinds of conditions.”
Staff writer Linda Zavoral contributed to this report.
