As the flames crept closer to her northern California home, Barbara McWilliams told her caretaker that she wouldn't evacuate. On Saturday, she made the decision to stay in her home and take her chances.
Her choice had tragic consequences. McWilliams, 72, was killed when the Valley Fire engulfed her Middletown home, her family said in a statement to KNTV-TV. She was a retired teacher who had moved to Middletown within the last year, and as her family described, a "true adventurer who enjoyed traveling the world." Authorities tried to reach the disabled woman's home, but due to the blaze, they were unsuccessful.
(PHOTOS: Wildfires Rage in California)
The woman with advanced multiple sclerosis was left by her caregiver, Jennifer Hittson, Saturday afternoon, according to the Press Democrat. Hittson, initially unaware of the fire's severity and speed, quickly became worried about McWilliams. Hittson called CalFire officials but was told they would get out to the area when they could.
"That I left her there, it haunts me," she told the Press Democrat.
State officials told the Associated Press Monday that 23,000 California residents have been evacuated away from three large wildfires burning in northern and central parts of the state.
- Valley Fire: 67,200 acres burned; 720 homes destroyed; 9,000 structures threatened; 30-percent contained; 1 killed
- Butte Fire: 71,780 acres burned; 166 homes destroyed; 6,400 structures threatened; 40-percent contained
- Rough Fire: 139,133 acres burned, 40-percent contained
Despite the low containment percentage of the Valley Fire, CalFire Chief David Shew told ABC7, "... Even that little amount means we got some part of the fire that is fully contained at this point."
In addition to the fatality, several people are still unaccounted for, CalFire told ABC7.
Hot, dry weather will give way to a sharp drop in temperatures across California this week, bringing chances for welcomed rain showers but also a shift in wind directions for many areas.
Valley Fire
The Valley Fire in Lake County, about 100 miles north of San Francisco, exploded to 50,000 acres in less than 24 hours this weekend, according to CalFire."I'm in shock. I want to cry. I'm looking at my neighbors' places, and they're all gone, and I'm still here. We're just shaking our heads," homeowner Jim Maurer told the AP.
The blaze destroyed a historic 53-acre Cobb Mountain retreat Saturday. Hoberg’s Resort and Spa, founded in 1885, was decimated, according to a press release. “Our hearts go out to people who also suffered the incredible loss of their homes and businesses within our community,” the ownership and management lamented. “It is our goal to respect and stay true to the spirit of Hoberg’s."
The fire broke out Saturday afternoon, charring nearly 40 square miles in several hours and chasing thousands of people from their homes.
Four firefighters suffered second-degree burns during the initial attack on the Valley Fire. They were hospitalized in stable condition, The AP added.
Current Fire Weather Conditions
"I'm looking in all directions, and all I see is fire," Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman told The Press Democrat. "This is unreal. ... This thing just blew up on us."
The small Middletown community suffered extensive damage and at least one school - Middletown Christian School - has been claimed by the flames, KGO-TV reported.
"The sound of the fire was that of a jet plane in flight. You could see fire advancing. It was incredible. We weren't evacuating carefully and cautiously, we were fleeing," Bob Rider, an evacuee, told KGO-TV. Rider, his wife, three young sons and dog escaped from their home in Hidden Valley Lake.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the communities of Cobb, Seigler Canyon, Loch Lomond, Riviera West, Clearlake Riviera, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lakes, CalFire said. Evacuations were also ordered for several roads in the area and evacuation centers have been set up at multiple locations.
Cal Fire reported more than 5,000 homes are without power due to the blaze. A Facebook page has been launched to help pet owners reunite with their lost animals.
Butte Fire
Meanwhile, the Butte fire has burned more than 71,700 acres to the southeast of Sacramento.Authorities say the wildfire started on Wednesday and has destroyed 166 homes in California's Gold Country.
Three-Day Forecast Highs
Officials reported more progress in battling the fire, saying it was 40-percent contained Tuesday night despite a thick layer of smoke that grounded air tankers and helicopters from flying all day Saturday.
California's emergency chief claims that this summer's fires are the most volatile he has seen in 30 years of emergency response work, according to the Sacramento Bee.
"I lost my business — it's all burned up — my shop, my house, 28 years of living," said Joe Thomas, who lives near the community of Mountain Ranch. "I got to start all over. It's depressing."
Thomas, who runs a tractor dealership and repair business, said he and his wife grabbed papers, his work computer, photos and their four dogs. But they left a goat, five ducks, six rabbits and more than 30 chickens behind.
"I turned the pens open and turned them loose. I just couldn't gather them up," he said. "All we want to do is go home. It's miserable."
In addition to the 166 homes destroyed, a damage-assessment team found that the fire burned 116 outbuildings and was threatening another 6,400.
Rough Fire
The Rough Fire continued to expand in the foothills east of Fresno, but not as quickly as it moved over the weekend.The fire, which was started by a lightning strike on July 31, had scorched more than 139,100 acres as of Monday night and was 40-percent contained.
The Sacramento Bee reports that it is the largest active fire in the state and it has swept through areas containing several ancient sequoia trees, including the General Grant tree and the Boole Tree, which are the second and sixth largest in the world, respectively. Both are reported to be safe.
At 138,053 acres, the #RoughFire is now larger than the Cities of Fresno, Visalia, Clovis, and Hanford *combined*.
Mandatory evacuations in Fresno County were expanded Saturday to include an area along Hopewell Road, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Mandatory evacuations are also in effect for parts of Kings Canyon National Park.
More than 3,700 firefighters are involved, one of which has been injured.
There are no reports of any homes destroyed in the Rough Fire.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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