At a Glance
- The fast-growing brush fire broke out Sunday morning and spread quickly.
- Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for about 2,000 people.
- Adventist Health St. Helena was transferring all patients.
- Red flag fire warnings continue for much of Northern California.
A fast-growing brush fire in California’s Napa Valley wine country has forced evacuations near Deer Park north of St. Helena.
Adventist Health St. Helena announced it was suspending hospital and emergency care and all patients, about 50, were being transferred.
Napa County sheriff’s deputies alerted residents about 4:15 a.m. PDT Sunday to leave their homes as the fire raced across dry hillsides, KPIX reported. Evacuation orders affected about 660 homes, or about 2,000 people, according to the county’s Office of Emergency Services.
The blaze burning east of Calistoga, which has been designated the Glass Fire, is in an area that is home to dozens of wineries.
(MORE: High Wildfire Danger in California as Hot, Dry and Windy Conditions Make a Return)
The fire quickly spread to 1,000 acres, Cal Fire reported.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents in the community of Deer Park, including Silverado Trail from Larkmead Lane to Deer Park Road and all of Crystal Springs Road and North Fork Crystal Springs Road.
Evacuations also were ordered for parts of the community of Angwin, including College Avenue at Howell Mountain Road to White Cottage Road and all of Freisen Drive, including all roads west of College Avenue and Freisen Drive, and all of Lommel Road.
The area, like much of Northern California, is under a red flag fire warning until Monday night because of weather conditions that include gusty winds, low humidity and high temperatures.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has announced it will likely shut off electricity to as many as 89,000 customers over the weekend to reduce fire danger.
California firefighters are battling 25 major wildfires across the state.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 8,000 wildfires have burned well over 5,625 square miles. Since August 15, the fires have killed 26 people and destroyed more than 7,000 structures.