A wildfire that’s threatening 980 homes and buildings in rural Northern California continues to grow explosively as firefighters struggle in rough terrain to contain it.
No homes have burned but the blaze is surging through sparsely populated areas of Yolo and Napa counties about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the state capitol of Sacramento.
As of Tuesday night, flames had devoured 72,500 acres of tinder-dry grass, brush and oak. That’s nearly 110 square miles (about 283 square kilometers) — nearly the size of Sacramento.
The so-called County Fire erupted Sunday and at times has grown by 1,000 acres an hour.
Smoke and ash are contributing to poor air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area and California wine country.
Hot, dry conditions are fueling blazes in several states in the U.S. West.
The fire is 15 percent contained as of Tuesday night.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the following areas:
- North of Highway 128 in Yolo County, excluding residences within the City of Winters
- South of County Road 23
- East of Berryessa Knoxville Road
- West of County Road 89, south of the community of Esparto, however agricultural equipment will be permitted
- Residences served by Highway 128, between Monticello Dam and Pleasant Valley Road
An evacuation advisory has been issued for the following areas:
- North of Quail Canyon Road
- South of Highway 128
- East of the Blue Ridge mountains
- West of Pleasant Valley Road
- East of Capell Valley Road
- North of State Highway 128 from Capell Valley Road, East to the Napa County line
- All of Steele Canyon Road
An evacuation center has been set up at Rumsey Grange Hall in the Community of Guinda 16487 Forest Avenue in Guinda.
Evacuation Advisories are issued for these areas:
- North of Quail Canyon Road
- South of Highway 128
- East of the Blue Ridge mountains
- West of Pleasant Valley Road
The fire was first reported Saturday afternoon just after 2 p.m.
Officials say the fire continued to burn actively throughout the day and the potential for growth remains high as crews battle the fire in difficult terrain.
Firefighters continued to work through the day to construct new containment lines and defend structures impacted by fire.
The following roads are closed for the safety of the public:
- Northbound County Road 87 from Highway 128
- Berryessa Knoxville Road from the Pope Creek Bridge to the Napa/Lake County line
- Eastbound Highway 128 at Markley Resort
- Westbound Highway 128 at Pleasant Valley Road
***Pleasant Valley Road, South from Highway 128 remains open to serve traffic into Solano County
Winds continue to blow smoke from this fire across the Bay Area, with smoke spreading as far west as Petaluma and as far south as Oakland, San Francisco, and Redwood City.
They Bay Area Quality Management District is encouraging residents who see or smell smoke to stay inside, keep all windows and doors closed, and set air conditioning to recirculate to protect your health.
For questions regarding the evacuations, contact Yolo County 2-1-1.
For questions regarding Solano County evacuations or advisories, call 707-398-8261.