Wragg Fire Scorches 6,900 Acres, Forces Evacuations Near Lake Berryessa in California

By Kevin France, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

July 24,2015; 9:53PM,EDT

 

 

A growing fire in Northern California is threatening homes in Napa and Solano County, particularly near Lake Berryessa.
Two-hundred structures have been threatened in the Golden Bear Community, where mandatory evacuations are currently underway. Evacuations are also underway in the Quail Canyon, Canyon Creek and Lake Solano Campgrounds areas, authorities said. At this hour, there has only been one report of structure damage to an outbuilding and tent trailer.
According to the latest update by Cal Fire, the blaze started at 2:24 p.m. PDT Wednesday and has already burned 6,900 acres with only 30 percent currently contained. Firefighters continue to deal with treacherous terrain as the region is brush grass covered, rugged and steep, with difficult access.
In a screen grab from ABC10 Eyewitness News in Sacremento, the station's shows a grass fire is burning vegetation near Lake Berryessa on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. (Photo/ABC10 Sacramento)
Dry conditions paired with low humidity are in the forecast for the next several days, posing a challenge for the 1,506 fire personnel on the scene. These conditions aren't ideal for firefighters as the low humidity makes it easier for the fire to spread.
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"Last week rainfall did not reach this far north making drought conditions a constant challenge to fight these fires," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark explained.
An evacuation center were opened by the American Red Cross to provide residents in the area with assistance. While initial reports reported a vehicle accident, the cause of the fire is still currently under investigation.