A contract firefighter was killed battling the blaze in Napa County this morning when he lost control of his rig as he traveled downhill for a refill of water,…
A contract firefighter was killed battling the blaze in Napa County this morning when he lost control of his rig as he traveled downhill for a refill of water, authorities said.
The still unnamed firefighter, one of thousands working with the multi-agency, multi-state team that rushed in eight days ago to quell the wildfires in the North Bay of California, was a contract fire tender driver with Cal Fire.
The California Highway Patrol, which is investigating the fatal crash, said the tender was empty and the driver was heading downhill at 7 a.m. for a refill, when it rolled over and crashed near Highway 29.
It was unclear when the driver started his shift.
Authorities say at least 40 people have died as a result of the fires – most of which are now contained — and around 5,700 homes and other structures were destroyed. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for, though authorities said many are probably safe and haven’t let anyone know.
In Sonoma County, which took an especially hard hit from the fires, authorities said no one will be allowed to return home until it is safe and utilities are restored. Power and gas are expected to be restored later today.
Residents of areas that are no longer in harm’s way have been allowed to return home after the number of evacuation orders fell to 75,000 on Sunday, compared to 100,000 on Saturday.
