Fires

Crews gain ground on destructive Valley, Butte fires

By Mariam Baksh

mbaksh@sacbee.com

September 21, 2015 08:10 PM

Destroyed homes and vehicles scorched by the Valley fire line Jefferson St. in Middletown, Calif, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. According to fire officials, the blaze ranks as the sixth worst wildfire in California history after destroying more than 1,000 structures, burning more than 75,000 acres and leaving at least three people dead. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Destroyed homes and vehicles scorched by the Valley fire line Jefferson St. in Middletown, Calif, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. According to fire officials, the blaze ranks as the sixth worst wildfire in California history after destroying more than 1,000 structures, burning more than 75,000 acres and leaving at least three people dead. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Noah Berger AP
Destroyed homes and vehicles scorched by the Valley fire line Jefferson St. in Middletown, Calif, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. According to fire officials, the blaze ranks as the sixth worst wildfire in California history after destroying more than 1,000 structures, burning more than 75,000 acres and leaving at least three people dead. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Noah Berger AP

Firefighters are gaining ground on the Valley and Butte fires that destroyed hundreds of homes and killed five people.

The Valley fire in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties that started more than a week ago is now 75 percent contained. It has blackened 75,781 acres and destroyed 1,050 structures.

Residents of Lake County from Butts Canyon Road to Napa County line, Cobb, Seigler Canyon and Loch Lomond are still under mandatory evacuation. They are being sheltered by the Red Cross at Grace Church in Kelseyville, the Napa County Fair Grounds in Calistoga, the Highland Senior Center in Clearlake and the Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

In Amador and Calaveras counties, the Butte fire is 74 percent contained. That fire has burned 70,760 acres. Mandatory evacuations have been changed to advisories and all road closures have been lifted.

Evacuation centers for the Butte fire are still open at the Jackson Rancheria Hotel in Jackson; the Jenny Lind Veterans Hall and the Good Samaritan Church in Valley Springs; and The Burson Full Gospel Church and the Glory Bound Fellowship in Burson.

A community meeting is planned for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp.

Mariam Baksh: 916-321-1673, @MariamBaksh

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