Wine country fires

After

Before

My heart goes out to all the Californians whose lives are completely disrupted by the horrendous fires raging through Napa and Sonoma. Dry conditions and strong winds caused such rapid escalation and devastation. More than 50,000 acres engulfed in Napa. Many injuries, at least ten known dead and the toll is likely to rise.

They said the grape harvest has already been completed for most, but the impact on the wineries and vineyards is inestimable at this time. Growing grapes and making wine is a labor of love. Many livelihoods and lives will have been destroyed by this tragic development.



The entire city of Santa Rosa has been affected, much of it burned to the ground. So many people will have to rebuild their lives. The fires will have stolen everything from them, but hopefully not their lives. Sadly, it spread so rapidly at night when people were sleeping unaware. Neighbors waking neighbors, hospitals evacuating, all in the middle of night with nowhere to go but run.

Too much water in Texas and Louisiana, too little in California. Is this a permanent climate state? My heart bleeds.

Smoke reaching San Francisco

As seen from space via satellites NOAA/NASA

USA Today Update 

Photos by UK Business Insider

Story about Santa Rosa