Bay Area Fires Claim Lives and Threaten Many More

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Liu Guanguan/China News Service via Getty Images

As the CZU Lightning Complex Fire and the LNU Lightning Complex Fire continue to burn, the LNU Lightning Complex wildfires have taken their first known deaths.

A PG&E “trouble-man” died while assisting first responders in the LNU Complex Fire. Cal Fire says the individual was helping clear infrastructure in the Gates Canyon area near Vacaville when he was found unresponsive in a vehicle Wednesday afternoon.

The worker was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately pronounced dead shortly after. PG&E said they will not share more details at this time out of respect to the family’s privacy.

A pilot of a firefighting helicopter died Wednesday while battling fires in Fresno County. According to Cal Fire, the pilot was the only person onboard.

“The Bell UH-1H helicopter was on a water-dropping mission on the Hills Fire, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) south of Coalinga,” reported KRON4.

Cal Fire spokesperson Seth Brown said additional air and ground resources responded immediately, noting the crash started a new fire, but it is now burning into the main fire so it is not a major concern. The Hills Fire is currently 35% contained and over 1,500 acres. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Cal Fire previously reported four civilians have been injured in the LNU Lightning Complex Fire.

“Meanwhile, more evacuation orders were issued overnight for the major wildfires, including the eastside of Highway 29, near Twin Pines Casino and the Lake-Napa County Line for the LNU Lightning Complex Fire. It has destroyed 105 structures, threatening 20,000 others and burned 124,100 acres or 194 square miles.” Reported KTVU, “Cal Fire said Wednesday night that a collection of about 20 fires in the rugged terrain of the eastern Bay Area that have been dubbed the SCU Lightning Complex had scorched more than 100,000 acres in 18.5 hours.”

As the LNU Lightning Complex fires temporarily closed Interstate 80 north of the Travis Air Force Base in Solona County, all “non-mission essential personnel” were ordered to evacuate. If you need to leave your home, there is an evacuation center at the Sonoma Fair Grounds.

“More than 14,000 people are employed at the base, about 10 miles southeast of Vacaville, where residents awoke early Wednesday morning to fire trucks blaring evacuation orders. About 7,400 active-duty personnel are stationed at the base, along with about 3,250 Air Force reserve members, according to its website.” The New York Times explained, “Travis was one of the military bases where people evacuated from the Far East early in the coronavirus epidemic were quarantined in February.”

The CZU Lightning Complex Fires jumped from 25,000 acres to 40,000 acres Wednesday night, which for reference is four times larger than San Francisco.

More than 20 homes have burned and thousands are threatened in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, southwest of San Francisco. Additionally, about 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate because of a fire threatening communities there.

California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, has sustained extensive damage from the group of fires known as the CZU August Lighting Complex in Santa Cruz County, according to the California Parks and Recreations Department.

California declared a statewide emergency yesterday to help ensure the availability of vital resources to combat fires burning across the state.

 

The following video describes the different levels of evacuations so you are prepared in case you need to leave your home.

Sign up for alerts in your county here.

Update: August 20, 2020 5:30pm

CZU Lightning Complex Fire

0% contained
40,000 acres burned
20 homes and buildings destroyed
At least 3 people hurt

LNU Lightning Complex Fire – Sonoma, lake, Napa, Solano, Yolo

0% contained
131,000 acres burned
70 homes damaged
105 buildings destroyed

SCU Lightning Complex Fire- Contra costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, San Joaquin

5% contained
137,475 acres burned
6,200 structures threatened
Evacuation orders: Alameda, Santa Clara & Stanislaus counties

Update: Friday, August 21, 2020 11:30am

Four people have died in the LNU Lightning Complex in the North Bay, a series of 20 fires that doubled in size on Thursday. Three people died in Napa County and one person died in Solano County.

“The three people who died in Napa County were found Wednesday in a home that had burned on the 6900 block of State Route 128, said Henry Wofford, spokesman for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office. Napa County sheriff’s officials recovered their remains on Thursday and fire officials reported the deaths as part of the fire’s devastation. The three victims have not been identified, and officials have not determined their genders or ages,” reported the SF Chronicle.

“The fourth victim of the LNU Lightning Complex died in Solano County. The victim was found while officials were assessing fire damage in the English Hills area near Pleasants Valley Road. The [unidentified] man was found on a burned road, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to ABC.”

Fire officials said there are simply not enough firefighters, ground crews and air support to combat the major series of lightning-sparked blazes in the North Bay, South Bay, East Bay and Peninsula. Over 60,000 people have had to evacuate to escape the fires. If you need to evacuate, we have created a list of things you should bring, if times allows.

LNU Lightning Complex Fire

7% contained
4 people died
480 homes and structures burned
30,000+ homes and structures threatened
219,000 acres burned

SCU Lightning Complex Fire 

10% contained
229,000 acres burned
20,000+ structures threatened

CZU Lightning Complex Fire

0% contained
50,000 acres burned
64,000 people evacuated
50+ structures destroyed

Woodward fire – Marin
0% containment
2,100 acres burned

Walbridge Fire

0% contained
21,000 acres burned
Many Homes Destroyed

Myers Fire

3% contained
Keep it from progressing to the south

Update: Monday, August 24, 2020 2:00 pm

Over 14,000 firefighters and more than 2,400 engines are working non stop to end 625 fires across the state of California.

CA is receiving aid from six major mutual aid regions to provide 2,827 firefighters and 709 engines. In addition, the state has received 91 engines from AZ, ID, NM, TX, OR, UT, WA, 8 engines are en route from Montana and guard support from ID, UT, AZ, KS. In total, CA has requested 375 engines.

Sadly, during a CZU press conference Sunday night, officials said one civilian died. “The body was found near the end of Last Chance Road, close to what is thought to be the person’s car, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said. The man was reported missing early last week in the first days of the fire, but Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Chris Clark said fire conditions prevented a helicopter from landing in the area until today. Once the helicopter landed, investigators were able to locate and retrieve the body,” reported SF Gate.

LNU Lightning Complex Fire

5 people dead
22% containment
350,000 acres or 547 square miles burned
1,000+ structures destroyed or damaged
30,500+ structures remain threatened

2nd largest fire recorded in modern CA history and now the largest complex being battled in CA

Get live updates here: https://twitter.com/CALFIRELNU

SCU Lightning Complex Fire 

10% contained
347,196 acres or 542 square miles burned
12 structures destroyed
20,000+ buildings in the fire path

3rd largest fire recorded in modern CA history

Get live updates here: https://twitter.com/calfireSCU

CZU Lightning Complex Fire

1 person died
4 people are missing
13% contained
78,000 acres burned
200 structures destroyed
24,000 structures threatened

Get live updates here: https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU

Lake Fire:
8/19 – 38% contained
8/24 – 62% contained

Loyalton Fire:
8/19 – 35% contained
8/24 – 93% contained

Holser Fire:
8/19 – 30% contained
8/24 – 80% contained

Ranch Fire:
8/19 – 19% contained
8/24 – 81% contained

While California battles historic wildfires, COVID-19 has not gone away. With over 2,211 evacuees looking for a place to stay, each shelter does a health screening and assessment before every entry to minimize the spread of coronavirus. There are 731 people in 17 congregate shelters spread out through 7 counties. These shelters require masks, social distancing and provide air purifiers. 1,480 evacuees are in 31 hotels as non-congregate shelters.

Governor Newsom reminds everyone to wear a mask, remain physically distance, wash your hands and minimize mixing.

Update: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 5:00pm

LNU Lightning Complex Fire

6 deaths
4 injured
27% contained
352,913 acres or 551 square miles burned
937 buildings burned
251 buildings damaged
30,000 structures threatened

SCU Lightning Complex Fire 

15% contained
Grew 6 square miles last night
363,772 acres bruned or 568 square miles burned (bigger than any CA city)
30 buildings destroyed
20,000 homes and buildings threatened

CZU Lightning Complex Fire

17% contained
79,000 acres burned
77,000 evacuations
24,000 structures threaten
UC Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz are protected
All evacuations orders remain in effect

Woodward Fire

5% contained
2,700 acres burned
Evacuation order for south of Inverness park, for both sides of highway 1, North of Sir Francis Drake and South of Lagunitas Creek

Myers Fire

People can renter at the checkpoint on 17499 bodega highway from 10am – 7pm

Update: August 26, 2020 5:30pm

Governor Gavin Newsom reported California now has 700 fires burning across the state and is well on its way to set a record-breaking year for fires. Sadly, there have been 7 fatalities and over 1,690 structures destroyed.

During Newsom’s press conference Wednesday afternoon, he explained 3,889 evacuees are in both congregate and non-congregate shelters. 3,041 people are spread out in 124 hotels and 848 people spread out in 14 shelters. With coronavirus among everyone Newsom reminds everyone to wear a mask, remain physically distance, wash your hands and minimize mixing as much as possible.

As more than 15,000 firefighters and over 2,400 engines are working to end these fires, California continues to deploy every possible resource to battle these historic wildfires. Newsom praised the brave men and women fighting the fires and encourages everyone to give the firefighters “some credit” for all the work they are doing day in and day out.

Last 24 hours:
423 lightning strikes
50 new fires – firefighters successfully suppressed all 50 fires

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

Monday: 22% contained, 350k acres burned
Wednesday: 33% contained, 357k acres burned

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

Monday: 10% contained, 347k acres burned
Wednesday: 25% contained, 365k acres burned

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

Monday: 13% contained, 78k acres burned
Wednesday: 19% contained, 80k acres burned

August Fire:

Monday: 11% contained, 178k acres burned
Wednesday: 17% contained, 197k acres burned

MOC Fire:

Monday: 20% contained, 2.8k acres burned
Wednesday: 60% contained, 2.8k acres burned

Sheep Fire:

Monday: 0% contained 26k acres burned
Wednesday: 3% contained 29k acres burned

SQF Fire (previously castle):

Monday: 0% contained, 5k acres burned
Wednesday: 0% contained, 18k acres burned

Update: Thursday, August 27, 2020 5:15pm

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:
33% contained
576.4 square miles or 368,868 acres burned (Grew 7,600 acres over night)
1,300 homes and structures burned

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:
35% contained
576 square miles burned

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:
21% contained
127 square miles burned
646 buildings destroyed

Effective immediately, evacuations lifted for these locations.

Woodward Fire:
8% contained
4.5 square miles burned
90 homes evacuated

Update: Friday, August 28, 2020 2:00 pm

Governor Newsom announced 15,000 firefighters are working to contain more than 730 fires that are currently burning across the state. So far, the fires have burned 1.4 million acres, destroyed more than 2,100 buildings and caused 7 deaths.

Last 24 hours:
93 lightning strikes
30 new fires (all been extinguished)

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:
35% contained
371,000 acres burned

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:
35% contained
368,000 acres burned

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:
26% contained
81,000 acres burned

August Fire:
17% contained
197,000 acres burned

Sheep Fire:
30% contained
29,000 acres burned

SQF Fire (previously castle):
0% contained
23,000 acres burned

Update: Monday, August 31, 2020 10:15am

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

63% contained
375,209 acres burned
1,209 structures destroyed
193 structures damaged
5,378 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County
First responders injured: 0

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

Now the 2nd largest fire in CA history
60% contained
383,157 acres burned
104 structures destroyed
18 structures damaged
20,065 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 3
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 3, 2020

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

39% contained
84,860 acres burned
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,361 structures burned
132 structures threatened
6,759 structures threatened

Woodward Fire:

15% contained
5 square miles burned

Update: Tuesday, September 1, 2020 5:15pm

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

69% contained
375,209 acres burned
Almost 1,500 structures have been damaged or destroyed
5,378 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County
First responders injured: 0

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

70% contained
390,157 acres burned
120 structures destroyed
18 structures damaged
5,065 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 3
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 3, 2020

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

43% contained
85,218 acres burned
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,483 structures burned
140 structures damaged
6,700 structures threatened
35,000 people evacuated

Update: September 2, 2020 – 1:25pm

Governor Newsom provided updates on the hundreds of wildfires burning across California.

“Let’s pray we don’t see any more fatalities,” said Newsom in response to the 8 fatalities and 3,100+ structures destroyed by the fires.

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

Friday: 35% contained, 368k acres
Wednesday: 72% contained, 391k acres

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

Friday: 35% contained, 371k acres
Wednesday: 76% contained, 375k acres

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

Friday: 26% contained, 81k acres
Wednesday: 46% contained, 85k acres

August Fire:

Friday: 17% contained, 197k acres
Wednesday: 20% contained, 261k acres

Sheep Fire:

Friday: 30% contained, 29k acres
Wednesday: 71% contained 29k acres

SQF Fire (previously castle):

Friday: 0% contained, 23 k acres
Wednesday: 1% contained, 42k acres

Update: Thursday, September 3, 2020 3:20pm

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

78% contained
391,578 acres
105 structures destroyed
17 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 3
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 12, 2020

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

81% contained
375,209 acres
1,490 structures destroyed
232 structures damaged
1,500 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County
First responders injured: 0

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

CZU Wildfire has now destroyed more homes in Santa Cruz than the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

48% contained
85,746 acres
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,490 structures destroyed
140 structures damaged
7,647 structures threatened
9,000 people evacuated

Update: Friday, September 4, 2020 1:40pm

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

82% contained
396,624 acres
131 structures destroyed
37 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 3
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 12, 2020

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

87% contained
375,209 acres
1,491 structures destroyed
232 structures damaged
1,350 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County
First responders injured: 0

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

56% contained
86,509 acres
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,490 structures destroyed
140 structures damaged
7,647 structures threatened
8,221people evacuated

Update: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 4:20pm

Governor Newsom provided an update on the wildfires burning across California Tuesday afternoon. Nearly 14,000 firefighters are deployed working to contain over 900 fires. More than 3,400 structures have been destroyed, 42,000 people have been evacuated, 1.8 million acres have burned and 8 lives have been lost.

Although the fires have high containment numbers Newsom believes it is, “Not good enough, we still have work to do.”

He continued to say, “We have substantially made progress” but with the expected wind, we need to be careful. As the, “Fires are anything but behind us” Newsom expressed, “Deep gratitude for all those on those front lines that are selfless in their sacrifice and their heroism”.

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:.
95% contained
396,624 acres
224 structures destroyed
26 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 3
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 12, 2020

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:
91% contained
375,209 acres
1,491 structures destroyed
232 structures damaged
1,204 structures threatened
First responders injured: 1
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County

CZU Lightning Complex Fire
81% contained
86,509 acres
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,490 structures destroyed
140 structures damaged
7,647 structures threatened
4,300 people evacuated

August Fire:
24% contained
356,000 acres

Creek Fire (Fresno/ Madera):
0% contained
143,000 acres

Valley Fire (San Diego):
3% contained
17,000 acres

El Dorado Fire (San Bernardino):
10% contained
16,000 acres

Bobcat Fire (LA county):
0% contained
8,500 acres

Oak Fire (Mendocino):
5% contained
863 acres

Update: Wednesday, September 16, 2020

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

97% contained
396,624 acres
222 structures destroyed
26 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 3
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 12, 2020

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

94% contained
363,220 acres
1,491 structures destroyed
232 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County
First responders injured: 1

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

84% contained
86,509 acres
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,490 structures destroyed
140 structures damaged
7,647 structures threatened
2,287 people evacuated

Update: Thursday, September 10, 2020

SCU Lightning Complex Fire:

98% contained
396,624 acres
222 structures destroyed
26 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 2
First responders injured: 4
Fatalities: 0
Expect full containment: September 30, 2020

LNU Lightning Complex Fire:

98% contained
363,220 acres
1,491 structures destroyed
232 structures damaged
0 structures threatened
Civilians injured: 4
Civilian deaths: 3 in Napa County, 2 in Solano County
First responders injured: 1

CZU Lightning Complex Fire:

93% contained
86,509 acres
Civilian deaths: 1
Civilian injuries: 1
1,490 structures destroyed
140 structures damaged
3,601 structures threatened
921 people evacuated
Expect full containment: September 20, 2020 at 8:00pm

Update: October 1, 2020 2:20pm

After burning 396,624 acres the SCU Complex Fire is officially 100% contained.

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