Hundreds flee St. Helena wildfire

An out-of-control wildfire forced 400 people from their homes in the community of Deer Park, north of St. Helena, on Friday evening, and firefighters warned the blaze could grow much larger.

At least one home had been destroyed, as well as a second unidentified structure, a Cal Fire spokesman said.

An evacuation center had been set up at Pacific Union College in Angwin north of the blaze, and the Red Cross had set up a center to the south at St. Helena High School. Food, drinks and cots were being offered at the shelters.

"The Deer Park area is our main concern right now," said Cal Fire spokeswoman Nancy Carniglia. "A lot depends on the weather."

The fire, of unknown cause, erupted in the afternoon in rugged terrain near "Devil's Elbow," a severe switchback on Deer Park Road between Deer Park and the town of Angwin. Firefighters said flames were being pushed south by 8- to 10-mph winds toward Deer Park.

Within hours, the fire had grown from 30 acres to 200 acres, and a state spokesman said there was "zero containment." There was immediate potential for it to grow another 200 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Billowing clouds of thick smoke could be clearly seen in Santa Rosa far to the west. Nearer the fire, witnesses reported falling ash.

Residents on Deer Park Road said they were choosing to voluntarily evacuate. "It's pretty bad," said one resident. Evacuations continued late Friday night for residents living on Crestmont Drive and Mund Road and any neighborhoods east of Deer Park Road.

Initial reports had the fire spreading south between Deer Park and Sanitarium roads and north of St. Helena Hospital and 2½ miles northeast of the Meadowood resort.

Alycia Stevens, the resort's front desk supervisor, said Friday evening the 85 guests at the property had the option to voluntarily evacuate as recommended by Cal Fire officials.

Except for outgoing traffic, the CHP had closed Deer Park Road between Silverado Trail and Four Corners, Howell Mountain, Crestmont, Crystal Springs and Glass Mountain roads. Deer Park Road is a main access route to the town of Angwin.

Firefighters, worried about strong northerly winds and dry conditions, had 400 personnel on the scene.

Equipment on hand included 25 Cal Fire engines, 35 engines from Sonoma, Lake, Marin and Napa county agencies, plus bulldozers and nine aircraft dropping fire retardant.