Valley Fire

First Posting | Summary
Posting Date: September 14, 2015, 10:30:00 AM

Having started in the early morning hours on Saturday, September 12, on Cobb Mountain in Northern California, the Valley Fire has consumed 61,000 acres, or 95 square miles, destroying 400 homes and hundreds of structures in Lake County. In addition, more than 5,000 people are without power. As of 8:00 a.m. PDT on Monday, September 14, the Valley Fire was only 5% contained, despite the efforts of more than 1,200 firefighters. The National Guard has also been mobilized.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Although temperatures became cooler during the weekend, the wind increased to 20 mph, causing the Valley Fire to grow and spread through drought-ridden areas, including the towns of Calistoga and Middletown, where it burned down entire blocks in some areas. In other areas of Middletown, the new elementary school and the Harbin Hot Springs retreat were burned. There is an unconfirmed report of one civilian fatality, which is being investigated by local authorities.

At the same time, several other wildfires are burning today in California, including the Rough Fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike and threatens the Sequoia National Forest; this fire is 36% contained. The other wildfire of note burning in California is the Butte Fire, which started on Wednesday, September 9, and has consumed more than 71,000 acres in Amador and Calaveras counties; this fire is 30% contained.

Given that the Valley Fire is burning in an area of Extreme to Exceptional Drought, according to the USDA, and that the prevailing conditions are hot and windy, this fire could continue unchecked for days.

Figure 1. Perimeter of Valley Fire, Lake County, Northern California. (Map data copyright 2015 Google.)

First Posting | Downloads
Posting Date: September 14, 2015, 10:30:00 AM