Glass Fire Updates: Gov. Newsom Tours Damage; More Evacuations In Napa County
SANTA ROSA (CBS13) — The latest on the Glass Fire burning in Napa and Sonoma counties:
2:31 p.m.
A new immediate evacuation order has been given due to the Glass Fire in Napa County.
Per Cal Fire, people in the following areas should evacuate:
All areas of Napa County north of Calistoga City limits between Highway 128, Sonoma County line and Highway 29.
All addresses on both sides of Highway 29 between Calistoga City limits and the Lake County line.
All addresses on Old Lawley Toll Road.
12:31 p.m.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is out touring the damage left by the Glass Fire in Napa County on Thursday.
The governor again cited climate change as the reason California is facing historically extreme wildfires.
"We're dealing with extremes that scientists had predicted," Newsom said while fielding some questions from reporters.
Newsom is also meeting with residents impacted by the Glass Fire on Thursday.
At least 107 homes in Napa County have been destroyed so far in the Glass Fire, according to Cal Fire's latest numbers. Another 36 homes have been destroyed in Sonoma County.
8:39 a.m.
The Glass Fire continues to grow, but containment has also started to creep up.
As of Thursday morning, Cal Fire reports that the wildfire had grown to 56,781 acres. Containment was now up to 5 percent.
A total of 248 structures have been destroyed in the Glass Fire, according to Cal Fire's latest numbers. Another 144 structures have been damaged.
More high temperatures and extreme conditions were forecasted for Thursday as firefighters prepared for the worst. Gusty, hot breezes are predicted to push the fire - already weaving a destructive path through wine country - on a wind-driven march toward Pope Valley in an area not touched by a wildfire on at least 70 years, Cal Fire officials warned.
The National Weather Service said a Heat Advisory was in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with increased fire risk in the North Bay Mountains and the Santa Lucia Mountains. A Red Flag Warning was also in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday.
According to the EPA's AirNow website, air quality around the Central Valley has fallen to the red "unhealthy" tier for many places as of Thursday morning.
The extreme conditions would add to the challenges facing firefighters Thursday, who are working in extremely difficult terrain.
Previous day's updates below:
7:07 p.m.
New evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for parts of Napa County due to the Glass Fire.
The following area should evacuate immediately:
- The areas between Old Lawley Toll Road and Pope Valley Road from Ink Grade Rd to Aetna Springs Road
- All recreational areas in or near the RLS park including but not limited to Table Rock Trail, Palisades Trail, and Oat Hill Mine Trail are closed
- Highway 29 from Tubbs Lane to the Lake County line will remain open to through vehicle traffic
- All current evacuation orders remain in effect
Cal Fire says the following areas are under an evacuation warning and should prepare to evacuate:
- All areas North of Aetna Springs Road, extending West to the RLS Trail Head on Highway 29 to the Lake County line, between Highway 29 and West of Butts Canyon Road
- All addresses on Highway 29 from Tubbs Lane to the Lake County line and Old Lawley Toll Road remain on a warning
- West of Highway 29 from the Calistoga City limits to the Lake County line
- North of Highway 128 from the Calistoga City limits to the Sonoma County line
As of Wednesday evening, the fire has burned 51,266 acres and is still 2% contained.
12:50 p.m.
An evacuation warning has been given for more areas in Napa County due to the Glass Fire.
The following areas should prepare to evacuate, Cal Fire says:
All areas between Silverado Trail and Highway 29 from Larkmead Lane to Zinfandel Lane, including areas within the city of Saint Helena.
All areas west of Highway 29 from Whitehall Lane to Madrona Avenue, including areas within Saint Helena.
The fire remains active on Wednesday, even as weather conditions have slightly improved for firefighters.
9:19 a.m.
Two firefighters who were battling the Glass Fire had to deploy fire shelters after intense flames threatened them, Cal Fire says.
The incident happened around 11:45 p.m. Sunday while the firefighters were battling a part of the wildfire in Napa County.
Cal Fire says intense fire conditions that were fueled by gusty off-shore winds prompted the firefighters to deploy their shelters. The shelters are made up of aluminized cloths that provide a shield against radiant heat.
Both firefighters survived unhurt, but several support vehicles were damaged.
