Tom
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- Jan 13, 2005
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Horrendous fires erupted overnight in a number of North SF Bay towns and communities. Entire communities evacuated, countless homes and other structures burned to the ground. High winds and low humidity combined to create a fire storm. Emergency services focused on saving lives, not structures. Deployment of air resources (water and fire retardant tankers) delayed due to low visibility from all the smoke.
Affected towns (so far) include Napa, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Calistoga. Smoke covers a large part of the Bay area. Fires spread easily by winds carrying hot embers.
A couple of hospitals and a couple of hotels, in addition to strip malls and large retail stores were lost. Also, the prestigious Silverado golf resort was torched. Localized fires still burning, not helped by gas spewing from gas lines. Haven't heard about fires at the 300 or so wineries/vinyards in the Napa Valley. They expect fire fighting resources from all over California to converge by this evening.
Haven't heard from friends in the area. Not surprising because cell service has been seriously disrupted.
4 wildfires currently burning, with 0% containment. 1500 (min) homes burned. 10 people died, and many folks injured. Expect these numbers to rise.
Edit: Authorities still searching for folks who weren't able to evacuate.
Looting is going on, and police/CHP and Sheriff's department are arresting them.
Affected towns (so far) include Napa, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Calistoga. Smoke covers a large part of the Bay area. Fires spread easily by winds carrying hot embers.
A couple of hospitals and a couple of hotels, in addition to strip malls and large retail stores were lost. Also, the prestigious Silverado golf resort was torched. Localized fires still burning, not helped by gas spewing from gas lines. Haven't heard about fires at the 300 or so wineries/vinyards in the Napa Valley. They expect fire fighting resources from all over California to converge by this evening.
Haven't heard from friends in the area. Not surprising because cell service has been seriously disrupted.
4 wildfires currently burning, with 0% containment. 1500 (min) homes burned. 10 people died, and many folks injured. Expect these numbers to rise.
Edit: Authorities still searching for folks who weren't able to evacuate.
Looting is going on, and police/CHP and Sheriff's department are arresting them.