3 dead, nearly 100 000 evacuate as two massive wildfires explode in Northern California

At least 3 people lost their lives while almost 100 000 have fled their homes as two out-of-control wildfires continue to rage in Northern California. As of Tuesday, September 29, 2020, the Glass Fire has consumed more than 18 000 ha (45 000 acres) of land and, while the Zogg Fire has burned 16 000 ha (40 000 acres), both are zero percent contained.

Some 1 500 firefighters continue to battle the wildfires that have been ravaging Napa's famous wine region.

Some notable wineries, such as Chateau Boswell and a portion of 13th-century-style winery Castello di Amorosa have been lost to the blazes, which reached the fringes of Santa Rosa– the biggest town in the neighboring Sonoma County.

"It's a complete, total loss," said Jim Sullivan, Castello di Amorosa's vice president of marketing and PR. 

Nearly 100 000 residents have been evacuated from towns, including the entirety of Calistoga, a wine tourism destination.

"It looks like a bomb went off," 61-year-old resident Joe Ortega told the San Francisco Chronicle. "The trees go up like matches."

80 houses have been destroyed between the two counties, according to Cal Fire official Jonathan Cox. Santa Rosa fire chief Tony Gossner added that it would take weeks to put the flames under control. "It's going to be kind of long, and it's going to be painful."

Residents in the affected region are still reeling from a previous disaster as the area was hit by devastating wildfires in 2017, which killed 44 people and scorched thousands of buildings.

A huge mass of smoke produced by California Fires extending 700 km (400 miles) over the Pacific Ocean. Image credit: Antonio Vecoli, NASA Terra/MODIS

California Fires smoke mainly produced by August Complex, Zogg Fire, Red Salmon Complex, Glass Fire, and North Complex. Image credit: Antonio Vecoli, NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS.

Meanwhile, the Zogg Fire killed at least three people further north and has razed 16 000 ha (40 000 acres) of land, also without containment in sight.

Both blazes exploded Sunday, September 27, rapidly spreading through dry vegetation triggered by high winds. Temperatures remain high in the area.

The new fires came during a record season as five of California's six biggest wildfires in history are currently scorching across 1.5 million ha (3.8 million acres) of land.

California is currently moving into the peak of the wildfire season.

Featured image credit: NASA Terra/MODIS