8,300-acre wildfire north of Napa Valley forces residents to flee homes

A Cal Fire crew retreats from a wooded area after a flare-up of the Rocky fire near Lower Lake on July 29.

July 30, 2015 12:56 PM PT

A destructive wildfire burning north of Napa Valley has scorched 8,300 acres, damaged multiple outbuildings and forced 650 people to flee their neighborhoods, officials said Thursday.

Water-dropping aircraft and firefighters on the ground are working around the clock to douse fast-moving flames and dig a containment line around the blaze, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Rocky fire began at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday near Morgan Valley and Rocky Creek roads, 62 miles north of Napa, and traveled at a rapid rate, spreading into heavy brush and woodlands, Cal Fire said.

Firefighters were still assessing the damage caused by the massive blaze, but officials said flames have so far destroyed three structures and multiple outbuildings.

As the fire has consumed trees, embers are flying miles ahead and pushing the blaze forward, officials said.

Residents in Lower Lake, a small community 13 miles east of Kelseyville, were given mandatory evacuation orders as flames encroached into neighborhoods as well as the Cache Creek Wilderness and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Area.

By Thursday afternoon, new orders were given to residents living on Morgan Valley Road, Knoxville Road, Dam Road, Mustang Court, Boham Road, Quarterhorse Lane, Sleepy Hollow Road, Jerusalem Grade Road, Spruce Grove Road, Noble Ranch Road and Cantwell Ranch Road.

Shelters were opened at Highland Senior Center and Middletown High School.

The blaze is one of 14 large wildfires burning in California, requiring the deployment of nearly 7,000 firefighters.

Hot temperatures and gusty winds allowed fire activity to pick up Wednesday afternoon in Northern California. Cal Fire said five wildfires grew rapidly and threatened homes because of dry brush, parched trees and windy conditions.

The Wragg fire off California 128 in Lake Berryessa continued to burn Thursday, having already consumed 7,500 acres.

The fire, which is 80% contained, began July 22 and has destroyed two outbuildings; three other structures and a home were damaged. Because the fire is still active, 200 residents in Mix Canyon and on Sky Ranch Road, Wild Horse Canyon Road and Blue Ridge Road were ordered to evacuate.

The Willow fire, which is 30% contained, has charred 3,383 acres in North Fork, an unincorporated community 40 miles northeast of Fresno.

The blaze is burning in steep, rugged terrain covered in thick, dense brush and dead trees destroyed by bark beetles. Because the fire is burning in a heavily wooded area that is hard to reach, a direct attack is no longer possible and is unsafe for firefighters, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

On Wednesday, Cal Fire entered the fight against the blaze to provide additional protection.