http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4473490-181/updates-smoke-from-valley-fire?gallery=4470892
UPDATE 3:15 p.m. VALLEY FIRE
In just over 24 hours the Valley Fire has burned about 50,000 acres without any containment and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people - mainly in southern Lake County. That information was given Sunday afternoon at a meeting at Kelseyville High School with a variety of fire, law and government officials and about 250 people. Cal Fire spokesman Todd Derum told the audience the fire is pushing ahead in all directions, including southeast into The Geysers in Sonoma County... (more at link)
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4473490-181/updates-smoke-from-valley-fire?gallery=4470892
UPDATE 4:18 p.m. SONOMA, NAPA COUNTIES ON ALERT
Emergency officials from Sonoma and Napa counties are ramping up to confront the out-of-control Valley Fire, which has rampaged through southern Lake County and has crossed the line into both neighboring counties. The 1-day-old fire has caused “significant damage” to three Calpine cooling towers in The Geysers geothermal energy complex in Sonoma County and forced evacuations in northern Pope Valley.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4473490-181/updates-smoke-from-valley-fire?gallery=4470892
UPDATE 5:00 p.m. SONOMA COUNTY ISSUES ADVISORY EVACUATIONS
Sonoma County emergency officials have issued evacuation advisories to certain residents of Pine Flat and Geysers roads in Healdsburg and Geyserville, notifying them to be on the alert for changing conditions and evacuation orders in the event the out-of-control Valley Fire descends further into Sonoma County. The blaze already has crossed the county line and caused fire damage at The Geysers geothermal energy complex, officials said. It also has spread into the Big Sulphur Creek drainage, county officials said. Though no homes in Sonoma County were immediately threatened, an automated dial-up system was used to alert more than 80 residences in the following areas to be prepared to leave on short notice, if necessary: Pine Flat Road, addresses 5000 and above; Geysers Road out of Healdsburg, addresses 6000 and above; Geysers Road out of Geyserville, addresses 9400 and above. Those with special evacuation needs should leave as soon as possible, emergency officials said.
UPDATE 4:41 p.m. FIREFIGHTERS’ CONDITIONS
One of four Cal Fire firefighters injured fighting the Valley Fire remains in critical condition, hospitals said Sunday afternoon. Fire Capt. Pat Ward, who was leading the Copter 4 crew during the initial Saturday attack in Lake County, is in critical but stable condition at the UC Davis Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. The other three firefighters — Niko Matteoli, Richard Reiff and Logan Pridmore — were all reported to be in fair condition at the same hospital. The men were all under the burn team’s care, the nursing supervisor said. The state fire agency posted on its Facebook page a photograph of Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott visiting one of the injured men, whose arms were heavily bandaged but who was giving a thumbs up and smiling. The firefighter could not be identified.