
Wine Country Wildfires Leave Devastating Path of Death, Destruction
Raging wild fires swept across Northern California’s wine country, killing at least 17 and destroying more than 2,000 homes and businesses since Sunday night. Hot, dry and windy conditions fueled 17 wildfires across seven counties that in the initial two days already rank among the deadliest in the state’s history.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection chief Ken Pimlott told AP, “This is just pure devastation, and it’s going to take us a while to get out and comb through all of this.”
The death toll and property damage is expected to increase, even as more firefighters join the ongoing battle with several days of fire weather conditions ahead. At least 185 people have been injured and nearly 200 people were reported missing in Sonoma County alone.
Some of the largest blazes hit Napa and Sonoma counties, home to dozens of wineries. Among the commercial businesses in Santa Rosa or Napa reportedly lost or damaged include: Applebee’s, Arbys, McDonald’s, Best Value Inn and Suites, Coddington Mobile Estates, Estancia Apartments, Fountaingrove Inn & The Steakhouse @ Equus, Frey Vineyards Winery, Furniture 2000, Golden Vineyards, Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, K-Mart, Oster Wine Cellars, Paradise Ridge Winery, Signorello Estates & Winery, and White Rock Vineyards.
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