Officials say at least four people have died, several have been injured and many more may be at risk in the devastating fires that have been sweeping across the North Bay.
Officials say at least four people have died, several have been injured and many more may be at risk in the seemingly endless fires that have been sweeping across the North Bay. Although only two fatalities have been confirmed, officials say the scale of these fires may lead to more. CHP officials told the ABC7 News I-Team’s Dan Noyes that one of the people who died was a blind, elderly woman — hard of hearing, who was found dead in her driveway. They suspect she was trying to escape the flames in Santa Rosa. Another fatality was reported by officials in Mendocino county Monday afternoon. Later in the early evening CalFire officials confirmed another two victims died in Napa County. Over 65,000 acres across eight counties have burned as 1,500 structures have been destroyed According to Cal Fire officials a combination of fires across eight counties has burned over 65,000 acres of land, destroyed over 1,500 structures, and is threatening countless others. Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for fires, directing critical resources to help residents and firefighters. In addition to the destroyed homes and evacuations more than 103,000 PG&E customers are without power due to the fires, with the majority of outages in Napa and Sonoma counties where flames have been the most persistant. For those hoping to escape the flames via plane, airlines serving Charles Schulz-Sonoma Co. Airport have canceled flights due to poor visibility from smoke. The closures could last days. Officials say there are no flights coming or going. The fires have also forced the closure of countless businesses in the North Bay and all public schools in Santa Rosa and Calistoga Monday. ABC7 News reporter Lyanne Melendez reports widespread damage near Crystal Drive in Santa Rosa and even found a street sign that had been ripped from somewhere in the blaze. Fires trickling into Mendocino County have triggered the closure of Redwood Valley and School Way from Hwy 101. Evacuations have been ordered along East Road, West Road, Tomki Road to Canyon Road in Willits, Golden Rule subdivision and Reeves Canyon and many others. Smoke from the numerous fires spread throughout the Bay Area and has caused hazardous air in the region Officials encourage everyone experiencing breathing issues to ask nearby evacuation centers or first responders for masks.
