Wildfire Near Lake Berryessa Prompts Evacuations, Burns 6,000 Acres

A wind-whipped grass fire near Lake Berryessa has burned at least 6,000 acres and was threatening 200 structures, Cal Fire said. One residence was partially damaged and one outbuilding was destroyed. 

Wragg fire, which was 5 percent contained since Wednesday night, prompted evacuations in the Cold Canyon area and Canyon Creek Campground. At 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Cal Fire said mandatory evacuations were taking place at the Quail Ridge and Golden Bear communities. Evacuations are still underway Thursday morning.

Highway 128 in the area has also been shut down to traffic while firefighters battle the blaze.

Cal Fire said the blaze is off of Highway 128 near Greaves Road in Napa County. Officials also said three hikers were rescued from the fire in Cold Canyon, just south of Lake Berryessa.

People who live west of Winters said all they could do is get out of the way.

Horse owner Sarah Dickinson said it was scary how fast the fire spread because she "watched it burn down the hill and could literally watch it go chunk after chunk go like within minutes." 

Another resident, Bill Peck, was able to watch the flames burn toward his neighborhood in the Quail Canyon area. 

"It's unbelievable fire could spread so fast," Peck said, adding he was able to get his horses out of harms way.

Cal Fire initally said investigators determined the cause of the blaze was a result of a vehicle accident. The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation, authorities said late Wednesday.

Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Winters Community Center, 201 Railarod Ave., in Winters.