Massive fires in Napa and Sonoma counties burn structures, force evacuations, close hospitals

Several massive wildfires burned out of control in Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, destroying an untold number of homes and businesses, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and shutting down major roadways as firefighters sought to halt the advance of infernos that were driven by powerful winds. There was no immediate estimate of the damage or the extent of injuries — nor an explanation for the sheer number of fires — but structures were burning in both counties, according to authorities and witnesses. One blaze in and around northern Santa Rosa had burned at least 20,000 acres by 6 a.m., threatening shopping centers, schools and the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Flames moved through the hills above the Silverado Trail as a fast moving wind whipped wild fire raged though the Napa/Sonoma wine region in NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA 9 Oct 2017. Multiple fire that erupted in Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga and the Santa Rosa area have burned homes and wineries. Mandatory evacuations have be displaced hundreds of residents through out the area. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of 88 Flames moved through the hills above the Silverado Trail as a fast moving wind whipped wild fire raged though the Napa/Sonoma wine region in NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA 9 Oct 2017. Multiple fire that erupted in ... more Residents described fleeing for their lives in the middle of the night from that fire, in cars or on foot. Two hospitals in Santa Rosa, those run by Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, were evacuated. Power outages were widespread. People flocked to gas stations in cities that were safe from the conflagrations, to fuel up and buy water and other supplies. Evacuation centers were set up, then quickly filled, orcing more to open. In several cities, including Napa, Santa Rosa and Petaluma, public school leaders closed all schools Monday.The series of fires began to ignite Sunday and multiplied as the night went on, hitting Napa and Sonoma the hardest but affecting at least five counties.