Atlas Fire Burning Near Vacaville
Massive wildfires in the North Bay area raging in Solano, Marin, Napa, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties have already burned thousands of public and private structures, caused tens of thousands to evacuate their homes, and resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people as of Wednesday, October 12, 2017.
Recently, the fires have spread closer to Vacaville and Fairfield, burning structures in the unincorporated area of Green Valley between the two cities. As heavy smoke pours into both cities, public officials have been issuing evacuation advisories in Fairfield and canceling school days in both cities.
The Fires
The latest information available suggests that the wildfires began on the night of Sunday, October 9, 2017, as the result of downed power lines. The fires grew quickly, fed by winds blowing at up to 60 miles per hour in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. The fires have currently spread to over 30,000 acres and officials report that most are less than five percent contained.
Although hundreds of firefighters from departments all over the region are responding to the out-of-control blazes, officials have reported that response efforts are currently focused on saving lives with containing the fires as a secondary priority.
The fires are so widespread and numerous that firefighters have had to strategically decide which areas would be the most efficient places to combat them. Some areas, firefighters have reported, have had to be ignored.
State of Emergency
With more than 350 people currently missing, many injured, and an unknown amount dead, Governor Jerry Brown has officially declared a state of emergency in Napa, Solano, Yuba, Butte, Lake Mendocino, Orange, and Nevada Counties as well as requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the office of the president which was approved on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the many individuals who have suffered because of this tragedy.
A Growing Problem
Daniel Berlant, a spokesman from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told the public that fire activity increased majorly during Tuesday night, destroying additional buildings and leading to new areas of a mandatory evacuation.
The fires were predicted to spread even more rapidly on Wednesday night and through Thursday as wind speeds increase, carrying the large fires swiftly through the area’s dry grasses.
School Cancellation
The Vacaville Unified School District has reported that they will be closing schools on Thursday and Friday out of concern for the security and safety of staff and students. Officials from the school district told reporters that they want students to be able to stay inside in order to avoid breathing the heavy smoke from the fires as well as to be with their families in the event that evacuations take place.
Air Quality
An air quality advisory warning has been issued across Solano County. Officials say that residents should take the following precautions:
- Limit time spent outdoors
- Set air conditioning units in building and vehicles to recycle air instead of taking it from outside
- Reduce exposure to smoke by closing windows and doors
- If you are unable to do the previous, seek out a clean air center near you
- Stay updated and listen to local media for changes in air quality conditions
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be incredibly serious and caring for burns can be a complex process. To learn more about caring for burn injuries, rehabilitation after burn injuries, and more, you can visit my website, AutoAccident.com.
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Vacaville Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Vacaville personal injury lawyer. If you have received an injury because of another’s negligence, please reach out to me at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free and advice with no obligation. I am also available online at AutoAccident.com.
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