Forecast of rain brings hope of relief from California wildfires

As wildfires continue to burn throughout northern California, the forecast of rain later this week has offered hope of relief to those that have seen their wineries and homes destroyed.

Credit: Facebook – Chimney Rock Winery

The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted cooler weather and rain later this week across much of Napa and Sonoma County from as early as late on Wednesday, through to Friday, as well as lesser rains in Santa Rosa.

The latest forecast reads: “Rain and much cooler temperatures behind a cold front will bring a feeling of fall to the east coast today. In addition, an active fall storm pattern developing in the Pacific Northwest this week will bring areas of heavy rains, and very high elevations could receive heavy snow. Wetting rains to the valley floors will spread south Thu and Fri into northern California,where active fires continue.”

AccuWeather also expects rain, tempered by a warning of further high winds, which if proven correct will come as welcome relief to the ongoing efforts to bring widespread wildfires under control.

The wildfires, which began on Monday (9 October) have, swept throughout northern California by high winds and were most damaging in the Atlas Peak-Stag’s Leap area near Yountville, in Sonoma County between Kenwood and Santa Rosa, and in the mountains north and west of Calistoga.

A total of 41 people have now been confirmed to have lost their lives, including a fire worker, while many wineries have been severely damaged or destroyed. 

Yesterday, the California Fire Service confirmed that 11,000 firefighters were continuing to battle 14 separate wildfires across the State, with over 213,000 acres burned and an estimated 5,700 structures destroyed.

“This morning, a private water tender driver assigned to the Nuns Fire tragically died in a vehicle rollover on Oakville Grade in Napa County”, the service confirmed in a statement. 

“As containment figures have increased, many of the evacuations across the fires in Northern California have been lifted. Over 40,000 people remain evacuated, but many of the evacuation orders are being reevaluated.” 

Chimney Rock Winery, located on the Silverado Trail in Napa, escaped damage and yesterday posted a photo to its Facebook page of a banner strung up outside of its winery to thank those who continue to support the relief effort.

“Thank you, once again, for your tremendous support and encouragement of Chimney Rock Winery and all those affected by the horrific wildfires,” it said. “Our thoughts and well wishes remain with those who continue to be impacted.”

Mt. Veeder in Napa. Credit: Jackson Family Wine

Overnight, the California Wine Institute issued an update confirming that is was working with legislators and regulators to ensure that all possible state and federal resources are made available to those individuals and industries affected by the natural disaster.

It also gave an update on the extent of the damage, saying that of the 1,200 wineries in Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties “less than ten have been destroyed or heavily damaged.”

“Five vineyard properties totaling about 200 acres in Potter Valley area of Mendocino are reported damaged. Because many areas were evacuated, some winery owners do not have access to their properties to assess the status, so the situation remains fluid.

In terms of this year’s harvest, due to heat in late August and early September the majority (90% reported in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, 75% in Mendocino County) of the 2017 harvest was completed prior to the start of the fires.

“Remaining on the vines are primarily late-ripening red grapes, mostly the tough-skinned Cabernet Sauvignon, which vintners believe can withstand smoke in the short term,” the institute said.

“It is premature to discuss smoke taint on grapes remaining on vines. Vineyard owners with remaining grapes are picking when they can and will assess quality. It’s been reported that vineyards have not been burning and are helping to save structures near or surrounded by vineyards. In previous fire incidents, vineyards have acted as firebreaks. Some vineyards have been damaged in areas where the speed and intensity of the fire were greatest.”

The California Wine Institute has provided contacts for ways to help to in the relief effort, while Napa Valley Vintners has reactivated the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, which it established in 2014 following the South Napa earthquake. Those wishing to make donations can contribute via the Community Foundation of Napa Valley’s website, or by clicking the link available on the napavintners.com website.