About the Wine Country Fires
The “Wine Country Fires” refer to the wildfires that scorched the North Bay region starting on October 8th, 2017. They include 21 major wildfires – one of which is now the most destructive wildfire in California’s collective history. The Wine Country Fires burned more than 245,000 acres in northern California and destroyed at least 8,400 structures. Forty-two people lost their lives in these infernos. It took 11,000 firefighters weeks to contain the destructive fires. For any legal consultation to help reclaim damages to your home and loss, contact a wildfire trial lawyer. Here is an overview of the most prominent conflagrations in the Wine Country Fires.
The Tubbs Fire, part of the Central LNU Complex, is the worst wildfire in the state’s history in terms of property destruction. It began on October 8th at 9:45 p.m. Its cause remains under investigation. Tubbs Fire destroyed at least 5,500 structures from Calistoga to Santa Rosa. The previous fire that held the title of most destructive was the Tunnel Fire of 1991, which destroyed 2,900 structures in Oakland and Berkeley. The Tubbs Fire burned 36,807 acres and killed 22 civilians.
The Nuns Fire actually refers to a combination of six individual fires (Central LNU Complex) that merged as they blazed through Napa and Sonoma counties. These fires were the Nuns, Adobe, Norrbom, Pressley, Partrick, and Oakmont Fires. The Nuns Fire began on October 8th at 10:00 p.m. Together, these conflagrations burned 56,556 acres and destroyed 1,200 structures. Two people died in the Nuns Fire, one of which was a private water tender operator trying to put out the flames for others in the region.
The Pocket Fire (Central LNU Complex) began in the early morning hours of October 9th, at 3:30 a.m., off of Pocket Ranch Road and Ridge Ranch Road in Geyserville. It burned 17,357 acres in Sonoma County. Luckily, structural damage was not extensive since the location was largely unpopulated. Cal Fire reported six destroyed structures and two damaged. There were no fatalities in this fire.
Atlas Fire (Southern LNU Complex) burned 51,624 acres in Napa and Sonoma counties. It began off Atlas Peak Road, south of Lake Berryessa, on October 8th at 9:52 p.m. Atlas Fire completely destroyed 481 structures and damaged 90 others. It resulted in road closures at Upper Redwood Road and Mt. Veeder Road. Atlas Fire resulted in six civilian fatalities.
The Redwood Valley Fire (Mendocino-Lake Complex) began north of Highway 20 and west of the Mendocino National Forest in Mendocino County. It started at 11:36 at night on October 8th. It burned 36,523 acres and destroyed 545 structures. Many residents could evacuate in time to escape the blaze, but, sadly, eight people died in this fire. One victim was the youngest fatality in the Wine Country Fires at 14 years old.
The Sulphur Fire (Mendocino-Lake Complex) occurred off Highway 20 and Sulphur Bank Road, Clearlake Oaks. It traveled 2,207 acres throughout Lake County. It began at 11:59 p.m. on October 8th. The Sulphur Fire destroyed 136 structures but did not take any lives.
The Cascade Fire (Wind Complex) of Yuba County scorched 9,989 acres. It began at 11:03 p.m. on October 8th, north of Collins Lake. Cascade Fire hit Cascade and LaPorte, from Loma Ricato Stanfield Hill. Cascade Fire took four lives.
For legal counsel after a devastating wildfire in Wine Country, contact Eric Ratinoff Law.
