Fire

/ wcollins

 

Air tanker over Geyserville

By now, I guess that everyone has heard about the wildfires in Northern California, particularly Napa and Sonoma Counties.  The fires started Sunday night and will not be totally controlled for weeks. Since that is the only thing on my mind, I just can’t get my head into writing – somehow it just doesn’t seem appropriate to write about some great restaurant or trip when over 5700 of my neighbors have lost their homes or businesses and everything that they possessed. As of six p.m., Friday, thirty-eight people are dead and over 250 are still missing or unaccounted for.

Remains of Signorello Estate Winery off of the Silverado Trail in Napa.

Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa early Monday morning

Remains of Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa. Two of our friends lost their homes here.

Burned wine barrels at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa.

So far Karel and I are safe and our house is intact. We have power, water, gas, and internet service. We are very lucky. The air quality is the most unhealthy in recorded history so we keep our windows closed and wear masks when we go outside . We have packed some clothes, toiletries, my laptop, and some valuables. The bags are sitting next to our front door. Our cars are full of gas. If necessary, we can leave on a minute’s notice.

Even fire stations were not safe. Fire Station No. 5 in the Fountaingrove neighborhood of Santa Rosa.

I am humbled at the numbers of firefighters and first responders that have started to arrive in our community from all over California and the US – some from as far away as North and South Carolina. Most local firefighters have been working continuously since Sunday night and are only now getting a little relief.

Firefighter Nathan Goldie from Oxnard working outside the town of Sonoma.

Firefighters gather for the next onslaught as an air tanker drops retardant.

There is nothing more impressive than to see how everyone is pitching in to support our community in this time of need. Please keep sending the good thoughts and raise a glass tonight in support of Wine Country.

Remains of the tasting room at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa.

Redwood Credit Union (RCU), in partnership with RCU Community Fund, The Press Democrat, and Senator Mike McGuire, is accepting financial donations to aid relief efforts and assist victims of the 2017 North Bay fires. 100% of your tax-deductible donations will go directly to support those affected by the fires. (Donate here)

Maybe next week.

Walter

27 thoughts on “Fire”

  2. Incredible, humbling, sad. This makes the good life all the more precious and simple. What is important? Family, friends, flora, fauna, every moment of it. Thanks Walt.

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  3. I’m glad to learn that you and Karel are safe and that your life and home are still preserved. An incomprehensible tragedy for those families who have lost loved ones and for those who lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods. We had to evacuate our home and neighborhood in San Diego in 2003. It was very frightening. Fortunately our home was spared due to the valiant efforts of the firefighters stationed near our house as the fire came up the canyon behind our home. Melanie has a cousin in Santa Rosa as does another friend who has a sister there. We don’t know the status of their homes other than they had to evacuate. Best wishes for your continuing safety…

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  5. Thank-you Walter for your excellent synopsis of the Sonoma and northern California fires. When viewed separately or together, these fires are generating some outrageous statistics on top of untold human suffering that I can only begin to imagine .

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  12. I’m glad to hear that you are safe and your home is still intact. I’m evacuated to Petaluma and starting to look at the long road of rebuilding. Take care and stay safe.
    Wayne

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  15. So glad to know you guys are OK. I called Pat, and she told me and forwarded this blog.
    I have another friend in Santa Rosa who is one block from the evacuation area. It must be so scary.
    Stay strong and keep in touch.
    Mary Ellen

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