“We Just Don’t Have Words” – Wildfires Spread Across California Wine Country

A dangerous, fast-moving wildfire is ripping through Northern California’s wine country has more than tripled the size, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, reported Bloomberg. 

CalFire’s latest update shows the wildfire, called “Glass Fire,” is located in Napa County, has expanded into Sonoma County at a “dangerous rate of spread” and has scorched more than 36,000 acres. As of Monday, the fire is 0% contained, destroying 113 structures and has damaged or is threatening 8,543 others. About 1,500 fire personnel have been deployed to the region to contain the blaze. 

Around 70,000 residents of Sonoma and Napa counties have evacuated as hot, dry winds spread the fires into neighborhoods and vineyards, consuming commercial and residential building structures. 

Dozens of wineries are in the mandatory evacuation zones or evacuation warning zones. At least one winery has been destroyed, according to CNN affiliate KGO. 

KGO spoke with Dario Sattui, owner of Castello di Amorosa Winery in Calistoga, who said his “worst nightmare came true early Monday when part of his beloved winery caught fire.” 

Calistoga’s Castello di Amarosa, Napa Valley’s famed castle, was significantly damaged by the Glass Fire that continues to rip through wine country. https://t.co/J33pE2kx8X via @JodiHernandezTV pic.twitter.com/16t8cr1LIO

— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) September 29, 2020

Sen. Mike McGuire told KTVU-TV the Glass Fire is “moving at about 40 mph because of the wind, down the hill into the city of Santa Rosa, and we’re hoping for better conditions here today.” 

“We just don’t have words,” said McGuire, a Democrat representing Healdsburg in Sonoma County. “It’s an incredibly trying and emotional time right now.”

Satellite showing the smoke from the Glass Fire in the North Bay but note the August Complex and other fires in NorCal continue to pump a lot of smoke offshore at this time. Warm temps all week wont bring much relief. #GlassFire pic.twitter.com/RCqVdxYfLF

— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) September 29, 2020

California’s peak fire season usually runs from September through November. As readers may recall, La Nina has amplified the fires with more than 8,100 wildfires have burned more than 3.7 million acres this year, according to CalFire. About 29 people have died, and more than 7,000 structures have been destroyed since Aug. 15. This year’s fire season could extend as late as December.