SAN FRANCISCO -- Just as the massive lightning complexes of August were just about contained in the Bay Area, a new wildfire is threatening communities in Napa and Sonoma counties -- areas all too familiar with the threat.
The Glass Fire started at 4 a.m. Sunday and began spreading at a dangerously high speed, fanned by high winds. Overnight Sunday into Monday morning, the Glass Fire spawned two new fires: the Boysen and Shady fires. According to CAL FIRE, those smaller fires have since merged with the Glass Fire, forming one incident.
How did the Glass Fire start?
The cause of the Glass Fire is under investigation. Unlike the fires that erupted around the Bay Area in August, dry lightning strikes aren't to blame here, as there were no storms in the area.
Where are evacuations being ordered?
Evacuations are being ordered in Napa and Sonoma counties, including Calistoga, parts of Santa Rosa and St. Helena. For the latest on evacuation orders and warnings, check here.
What has been damaged or destroyed?
While CAL FIRE hasn't yet released an official number of structures destroyed or damaged, ABC7 News crews were in and around St. Helena Monday morning assessing the damage.
The Chateau Boswell Winery and the Glass Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast along Silverado Trail in St. Helena have both been severely damaged by the Glass Fire, according to ABC7 News Amy Hollyfield on scene.
Are the LNU, SCU and CZU Lightning Complex fires still burning in the Bay Area?
The LNU Lightning Complex in the North Bay and the SCU Lightning Complex in the East and South Bay were both 98% contained as of Monday morning. The CZU complex in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties was 100% contained. Those fires, which started amid a lightning storm in August, burned a combined 846,000 acres in the greater Bay Area.
This story will be updated as firefighters get blazes under control or new fires break out. Check back for updates.
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