Homes Burn, Residents Flee as California Wildfires Intensify

Pam Wright and Sean Breslin
Published: September 28,2016

More than a dozen homes were damaged by a fire that spread from embers just north of San Francisco on Tuesday.
The grass fire destroyed at least four homes and damaged another nine in Petaluma, California, Tuesday afternoon, the Press-Democrat reported. Petaluma fire Battalion Chief Jeff Holden told the Press-Democrat the blaze began when a pile of eucalyptus leaves caught fire and spread into a row of dry eucalyptus trees.
The damage ranged from burned fences and sheds to completely destroyed homes, Petaluma Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Holden told the Associated Press.
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Brush fire in #Petaluma damages nearly 13 homes along Highway 101. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6135864-181/as-many-as-13-homes?artslide=0 … @NorthBayNews @CAL_FIRE #cawx #cadrought

9:51 PM - 27 Sep 2016

The blaze also led to the closure of most northbound lanes along Highway 101 for about two hours, Holden also told the AP.
About 20 homes were evacuated as the wildfire grew, the report added. Residents of the impacted homes took shelter in a shopping center, CBS San Francisco said. No injuries were reported.

Loma Fire Continues Growth

A fast-moving brush fire atop Loma Prieta in California's Santa Cruz Mountains has led to mandatory evacuations.
According to Cal Fire's latest report says the fire has grown to 2,250 acres and is 10 percent contained. The blaze has destroyed two homes and six outbuildings.
A firefighter sustained a minor eye injury while fighting the blaze and was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to The Mercury News.
Evacuations were ordered for 300 buildings near the fire on Casa Loma, Loma Chiquita and Loma Prieta roads, according to Cal Fire.
The fire broke out at 2:45 p.m. Monday and began as a structure fire, according to KGO-TV. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Streck added that the fire broke out on a mountain ridge and the winds helped push the fire in many directions, which contributed to the rapid growth of the fire.
Several roads are closed, including Mt. Bache at Loma Prieta Road, Mt. Bache at Highland and Mt. Madonna Road at Pole Line Road.
MORE: Wildfires Burn in the West