DONATIONS: How to help victims of the Valley Fire where you live
So far the fast-moving fire has destroyed hundreds of homes. Cal Fire estimates that about 400 homes are gone, with a total of about 1,000 buildings burned to the ground.
Officials say one person has died -- an elderly disabled woman who was found in her home. The Lake County Sheriff's Department said Monday that deputies received a call Saturday night to check on the woman, but they were unable to approach her house because of the flames. The agency says the woman appeared unable to leave her home without assistance. Her name hasn't been released pending notification of family members.
At more than 60,000 acres and just 5 percent contained, the Valley Fire is massive. What's really striking is just how quickly it grew. The fire was just 400 acres at 3:38 p.m. Saturday. Three hours later, it was up to 10,000 acres. And the next morning it grew to 40,000 acres.
PHOTOS: Fire crews battle massive Valley Fire
The intense destruction left behind by the Valley Fire is slowly coming into focus through the hard-hit community of Middletown, where the fire danger is not over.
Crews faced a new firefight south of Middletown, where overnight the Valley Fire reared its head over a ridge toward Highway 29.
"Looking forward to some moisture," said one firefighter.
Cal Fire crews need rain, but got gusty winds instead. Still, they are winning the fight there.
"We're just trying to get containment here so we can give some assurance to the people of Middletown that this side is taken care of," said Matt Hayes with Cal Fire.
PHOTOS: ABC7 News at the Valley Fire
But on Saturday, a firestorm destroyed dozens of homes in Middletown. Neighborhoods were reduced to moonscapes. Shirley Lauzinger just discovered that her home is gone.
"All I could do is just cry," she said. "It's just a lot of memories."
It's the home Shirley and husband Walter raised a family in. Before living there, they owned the house across the street. That's gone, too.
When asked if they were able to salvage anything there, Walter said, "No, but like I said we got stuff in the RV, so we'll be alright."
Shirley was able to salvage a brass doorknocker that was melted but intact
"A lot of friends and neighbors lost a lot," she said. "But we'll get it back."
Shirley and Walter told ABC7 News that they're vowing to rebuild their home.
An army of PG&E crews are in Middletown working to restore power, which has been out since Saturday. So far they're restored it to a nearby gas station and the local supermarket so at least crews working up there and people who have returned can get what they need.
It is unclear when all the evacuees will be allowed to return home. In the meantime, firefighters are urging the public to heed the evacuation notices and stay away so they can do their jobs.
RESOURCES: Valley Fire evacuation centers, school closure information
Crews thought they had saved several homes on Cobb Mountain, but the flames kicked up again Monday. Firefighters spent the afternoon trying to contain this latest outbreak. The weather has both helped and hurt crews.
"This morning it helped the winds died down a bit," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike Marcucci. "But today is that turnaround day, winds are predicted to move out of the southwest, that's going to push the fire in a direction it hasn't burned and so we really are going to try and get this back end buttoned up here on the Cobb Mountain."
Right now there are already approximately 1,500 firefighters battling the blaze. More help from across the country is on the way.
Click here for full coverage on the Valley Fire.
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Thanks @coral_pratt for sharing this pic of the devastating #ValleyFire with us. Share yours using #abc7now. pic.twitter.com/iQ4WbWc4fe
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) September 14, 2015
Active winds out of the SW the next 24 hours around the #ValleyFire with gusts frequently to 20mph. pic.twitter.com/gIoG0RJDdU
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) September 14, 2015
Hobergs Resort on Hwy 175 completely destroyed by #valleyfire. The red building is what it looked like before. pic.twitter.com/OrLAxS7red
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) September 14, 2015
Fire crews restocking at Base Camp in Lakeport following 36 hrs on the line. Incident map shows #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/q1pwSQXW7t
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 14, 2015
Lots of livestock & horses roaming around. Many homes sparred too, but it's completely random. #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/SvDuqMoo3b
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 14, 2015
Headed through Middletown & lots of AT&T crews & @PGE4Me 175 blocked by power lines #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/vcYiWTPqWd
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 14, 2015
#valleyfire Always amazed at what survives and what burns pic.twitter.com/6tfgujTuX9
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) September 14, 2015
Calistoga athletics booster volunteering cooking breakfast . bit foggy ,cool today hopefully it'll help fire crews pic.twitter.com/SL2dsa9UOA
— Janet O (@JanetONews) September 14, 2015
And even more donations ... Incredible how much community support there is #abc7now pic.twitter.com/CJ7djXwm3i
— Janet O (@JanetONews) September 14, 2015
Just In - The #ValleyFire in Lake,Napa&Sonoma counties has now burned 61,000 acres & 5% contained.
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 14, 2015
Pet owner: My dogs are wondering where we are pic.twitter.com/iwUvXqNJYg
— Janet O (@JanetONews) September 14, 2015
People slowly waking up at the Napa Co Fairgrounds in Calistoga, one of the evacuation centers pic.twitter.com/mlxnHl8Szg
— Janet O (@JanetONews) September 14, 2015
The goats survived the fire. Their owner's home didn't. Hidden Valley Lake neighbors came to feed them #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/51cJktJFK8
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) September 14, 2015
500-1000 #ValleyFire evacuees @NapaRedCross shelter. Pets/livestock welcome. pic.twitter.com/t2r9EddhHO
— alan wang (@AlanWangABC7) September 14, 2015
So many lost cats, dogs & horses in the evacuation-Facebook page set up to help: http://t.co/NaUDcm7Uit #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/IHezb5TS6U
— Natasha Zouves ABC7 (@NatashaABC7) September 14, 2015
#RedCross helping #CA communities impacted by #ValleyFire & #ButteFire. Follow @RedCrossCalNW & @RCSierraDelta for latest response info.
— Red Cross Bay Area (@RedCrossBayArea) September 13, 2015
@abc7newsBayArea Ash falling on vehicles all the way down in Oakley; SF Bay Area. #ValleyFire
— Liz Elias (@DzyMsLizzy) September 14, 2015
LIVE on #Periscope: #ValleyFire update at Napa Fairgrounds https://t.co/O0v6R1iwZy
— alan wang (@AlanWangABC7) September 14, 2015
SMOKE INVERSION LAYER: Cold air (fog) undercutting the warm air. Warm air acts like a lid and traps the smoke above. pic.twitter.com/jfMUwSI5WT
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) September 14, 2015
#ValleyFire Guidance in good agreement for showers in the area Wednesday. However, it may come with 30-40mph gusts pic.twitter.com/T9vJ7aAfgR
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) September 13, 2015
Evacuees of #ValleyFire sift through donated items at Napa County Fairgrounds. pic.twitter.com/MWOCL7FDQ4
— Lilian Kim (@liliankim7) September 13, 2015
Just In - The #ValleyFire in Lake County is now estimated to have burned 40,000 acres.
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 13, 2015
The Valley Fire has hit Middletown. A school and several homes have been destroyed.
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) September 13, 2015
We're staying overnight @RedCross shelter in Calistoga. Food, water, pets ok, & medics on hand #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/YNimAF5ZQt
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 13, 2015
Heartbreaking loss in Middletown. Dozens of homes destroyed. #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/lLhONnqVOG
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 13, 2015
We had to evacuate. It was in my back yard ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ #abc7now pic.twitter.com/mBaplybPRS
— Maddie Ros (@maddielove2323) September 13, 2015
Additional Mandatory Evacs on #ValleyFire in Lake Co. From Hwy 29 & Hwy 175 south to Seigler Canyon Road, along the south side of Hwy 29.
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 13, 2015
Explosions from propane tanks, homes on fire, and Main Street in Middletown in flames. It's a terrible night in Lake County.
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) September 13, 2015
Absolutely heartbreaking. Fleeing resident tweets last look at home #valleyfire via @pathologicdoc pic.twitter.com/mY44XGuvHm
— Natasha Zouves ABC7 (@NatashaABC7) September 13, 2015
Middletown was where evacuees escaped to for Wragg & Rocky fires earlier this summer. Now it's hit by Valley Fire. pic.twitter.com/MAURjuQYaj
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) September 13, 2015
Middletown in Lake County is now under a mandatory evacuation due to the #ValleyFire. Hwy 29 now closed at Lower Lake to Middletown.
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 13, 2015
People desperately waiting to hear from family at Twin Pine Casino on Hwy 29 #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/pDzPiVcZEk
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 13, 2015
The evac center for people on south side of the #ValleyFire is in Calistoga at the Napa Co fairgrounds. @RedCross is setting up. #abc7now
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 13, 2015
Light rain falling at Napa Co. Fairgrounds where hundreds of Valley Fire evacuees are getting food & shelter. pic.twitter.com/sOtPB3wSy9
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 13, 2015
.@RedCross getting head count on evacuees based on meals served @ breakfast. #ValleyFire Calistoga #abc7now pic.twitter.com/gnA5EnSeX1
— Katie Utehs (@KatieUtehs) September 13, 2015
Evacuees getting briefed by Red Cross, shelter will be expanded to Expo Hall @ Napa Fairgrnds. #ValleyFire #abc7now pic.twitter.com/28EHH5eWEz
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 13, 2015
@CAL_FIRE Copter 104 FF Richard Reiff in good spirits after suffering burns while attacking the #ValleyFire. pic.twitter.com/ZnNbNKmAGl
— Chief Ken Pimlott (@CALFIRE_CHIEF) September 13, 2015
Update on the 4 burned firefighters from the #ValleyFire. All suffered 2nd degree burns and are in stable condition at UC Davis Medical
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 13, 2015
Visited our 4 injuries Firefighters from LNU at UC Davis Burn Unit. All expected to make full recovery!!
— Mike Lopez (@LopezCptmlo) September 13, 2015
4 Firefighters injured in Lake Co. airlifted to UC Davis Med Cntr in Sac with 2nd degree burns are doing well. pic.twitter.com/68w34sPvFm
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) September 13, 2015