BREAKING: One Dead as Valley Fire Explodes to 61,000 Acres, 5 Percent Containment

Credit: All photos by Al Francis,NapaSonomaPhotos.com
Written by Bea Karnes, Patch

The catastrophic Valley Fire that ignited on Saturday has claimed at least one life, burned 61,000 acres, 400 homes, and hundreds of other buildings including businesses and ranch outbuildings.

Four firefighters are hospitalized for burns suffered on Saturday, and countless civilians have sought treatment for smoke inhalation and asthma-related issues brought on by thick smoke.

The army of firefighters grew to more than 1,200 on Sunday, and they finally have the first glimmer of containment at 5 percent.

Close to 20,000 people are now under mandatory evacuation orders in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties, filling emergency shelters in several communities. The Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga turned into a small town within 24 hours of the first flames being reported. Generous community members from surrounding towns poured into the fairgrounds with their vehicles packed with dog food, baby diapers, food and water--so much that the Red Cross put out the word to stop bringing donations.

PG&E has sent a small army of utility workers to replace poles, transformers and cable destroyed by the fast-moving flames.

The statistics are breathtaking--so much destruction in so little time. But the personal stories of the survivors are even more compelling. Some residents who had just moments to flee before the flames overtook their homes had to made the gut-wrenching decision to leave behind cats and other pets that couldn’t be quickly scooped up. Others who moved to retirement homes in picturesque communities, now face an uncertain future. And yet, amidst the exhaustion, gratitude at simply being alive.

Full fire coverage:

• Highway Through Hell: Video Shows Driver’s Escape from Valley Fire Inferno
• Evacuated Fire Victims Settling into Tent City
• One Person Killed in Valley Fire; 50,000 Acres Burned; Hundreds of Homes Lost
• Exhaustion, Desperation, Humor at Calistoga Evacuation Center
• “Huge Destruction. Homes Destroyed Will Be in Hundreds”
• Valley Fire Roars Through 40,000 Acres in 12 Hours