Glass Fire containment improves in Napa, Sonoma counties
The Vallejo Fire Department continues to help make strides
Despite tough conditions and some firefighters having to leave due to carbon monoxide poisoning, the Vallejo Fire Department continued to help make strides with putting out the Glass Fire on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
In a 24-hour period, VFD helped to add another 20 percent of containment for a total of 50 percent contained as of Tuesday at 1 p.m.
The Glass Fire has burned 66,840 acres in Napa and Sonoma counties during its eight active days and has destroyed 1,411 structures. Another 270 structures have been damaged, including many wineries in the area.
Vallejo Fire Fighter and Spokesperson Kevin Brown said that the terrain in the area has been mixed when trying to put out the fires.
“Some of the terrain has been very easy to work in. The local roadways have allowed for access to most areas” Brown said on Monday. “There are however, certain areas that are very difficult to access. On Saturday, there was a large flare-up southwest of Highway 128 and Bale Road. The terrain there is very steep, and many local roads were blocked by downed trees and utility poles.”
The Air Quality Index number at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday was 96 for Napa, while it reached 93 (moderate) at the same time in nearby Vallejo.
However, many firefighters battling the blaze were evaluated for possible exposure to carbon monoxide Tuesday with one requiring further hospitalization, Cal Fire officials said in a statement.
Cal Fire spokesman Robert Foxworthy said five ambulances were called to the Sonoma County fairgrounds base camp in Santa Rosa to help evaluated the firefighters. Brown said on Tuesday that none of the firefighters are with the VFD.
“Sixteen firefighters on the Glass Fire were evaluated this morning for a possible carbon monoxide exposure that occurred at a location off-site out of the fire area,” Cal Fire officials said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “The firefighters were evaluated by Santa Rosa City Fire Department in conjunction with the medical staff assigned to the incident. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and all others were released back to the fire line.”
Cal Fire issued a statement on its website summarizing Monday night’s work.
“Crews fighting the Glass Fire experienced moderate fire behavior throughout the night due to poor humidity recovery and above average temperatures at the higher elevations,” the statement read. “Aggressive mop-up and tactical patrol continue in areas where the fire’s for
ward progress has stopped. Heavy dead and down fuels continue to threaten the fire line. As people start returning home, be vigilant that emergency crews are still working in the area.”
As of Monday, the Glass Fire, now recognized as the most destructive fire to ever hit the Napa Valley region, has destroyed or damaged structures at 20 wineries in the valley, including
Spring Mountain, the small, elevated western AVA that had evaded wildfires up until this season.