A wildfire in Napa and Solano countries in California has grown to nearly 7,000 acres. High winds and dry conditions have fueled its rapid spread, threatening hundred of structures and forcing evacuations across the area.
Initial reports by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection indicated a vehicular accident sparked the blaze, but officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Fire officials are referring to the event as the "Wragg Fire," named for the nearby Wragg Canyon.
Begin to see the size of the #WraggFire in Napa County from Sky7 HD. The fire is traveling at a rapid rate of spread. pic.twitter.com/RxZJF5XOAO— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) July 23, 2015
PHOTOS: Large #WraggFire burns near Lake Berryessa. http://t.co/OCkBNppH5Z pic.twitter.com/pT0sEjTprC— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) July 23, 2015
The fire began near Lake Berryessa and quickly spread, prompting mandatory evacuations in the Quail Canyon and Golden Bear communities while forcing evacuations of Canyon Creek and Lake Solano campgrounds. More than 1,300 firefighters are tending to the fire, including four air tankers and 10 helicopters, according to the latest update from the California Forestry Department.
#WraggFire [update] off Hwy 128 near Lake Berryessa (Napa & Solano counties) is now 6,900 acres & 15% contained. http://t.co/6zfRO5wLua— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 23, 2015
Both a Red Cross evacuation center and a large animal evacuation center have been opened nearby.
"The fire has remained active through the night. The area is brush grass covered, rugged and steep, with difficult access. Winds are erratic. Additional resources have been ordered," the Forestry Department stated.
UPDATE: #WraggFire is now at 6,710 acres & still 5% contained. 1,300 fire personnel currently battling this fire. pic.twitter.com/IgTzOnXKzf— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) July 23, 2015
#WraggFire pic.twitter.com/wSjq1by8Ww— Bryan Campbell (@BCfactor) July 23, 2015
The smoke from the fire has been visible on local weather radars and clouded the skies of nearby communities, causing eerie, orange skies across the area.
sun is down but we can still track #WraggFire smoke on radar. winds still strong in the area. @News10_CA pic.twitter.com/QbAUhnvRQ4— Monica Woods (@10MonicaWoods) July 23, 2015
#Wragg #Fire from Davis, looking west, now at 700 acres. #Wraggfire #cadrought #california pic.twitter.com/9lfqSM0EaT— Kirstin Bimson (@kirstinbimson) July 23, 2015
Sky over Winters, CA turns yellow due to smoke from #WraggFire (photo by @ddmarquis) http://t.co/2l54vYC1Oh pic.twitter.com/5XVFvqni5E— News10 - California (@News10_CA) July 23, 2015
The fire comes as California grapples with its fourth consecutive summer in record drought conditions, with about 70% of the state classified as being in "extreme" to "exceptional" drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The state has already seen 3,625 wildfires so far this year, according to Cal Fire, with more than 18,000 acres burned. This compares to a five-year average of 2,386 fires to date. However, typically California sees more acres burned by this time of year.
Officials have been warning of a potentially explosive wildfire season.