Atlas Fire Explained

Atlas Fire Part of the 2017 North Bay wildfires
Fatalities:	6^[1]
Reference:	^[2]
Location:	Napa County, California
Coordinates:	38.3921°N -122.2437°W
Area:	51057acres
Buildings:	781

The Atlas Fire was a 2017 wildfire burning in Napa County, California north of the city of Napa, near Napa Soda Springs. It was one of fourteen large fires simultaneously burning in eight Northern California counties, in what was called the "Northern California firestorm".^[3] Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency.^{[4] [5]}

The fire, which started on October 8, had by October 12 burned 51057acres of land, and was 77% contained.^{[6] [7]} By October 12, the fire stretched from Lake Berryessa south to Napa, but a firebreak was established across Atlas Peak Road. It was contained on October 28, 2017. At that point in state history, the fire was the 14th most destructive and 15th deadliest. It burned a total of 51,624 acres, destroyed 783 structures, and resulted in 6 deaths.^[8]

Progression

The fire began about 10 p.m. October 8 on Atlas Peak Road Atlas Peak. It started south, fed by winds, gusting to 28 miles per hour, and low relative humidity at 12%.^[9]

On October 12, winds were forecast to reach 40 mph, but were lighter than expected, slowing the growth of the fire.

Evacuations

Evacuations started at Silverado Resort,^[10] and at Vichy Avenue and Hagen Road area, then Montecito Boulevard and Monte Vista Avenue.^[11]

After the evacuation center at Crosswalk Church quickly reached maximum capacity, one was opened at Napa Valley College and St. Apollinaris Catholic Church. There are other evacuations centers such as:

• Allan Witt Park, 1741 W Texas St, Fairfield,
• Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield, and
• Fairfield High School, 205 E. Atlantic Avenue, Fairfield.^[11]
• Sonoma Raceway open their campgrounds.^{[12] [13]}

The evacuations for Solano County are Upper and Lower Green Valley, Eastridge, and the community of twin sisters along Suisun Valley road. The advisory is for the Lakes, and The Shopping Centers for Cordelia.^[14] In Sonoma, there were mandatory evacuation orders first at Seventh Street East, Castle Road, and Lovall Valley Road; then at East Napa Street.^[15] An evacuation advisory was issued for parts of the city of Napa.^[16]

See also

• Tubbs Fire
• 2017 California wildfires
• List of California wildfires
• October 2017 Northern California wildfires

External links

• 1981 Atlas Peak fire

Notes and References

1. Web site: Remembering the victims of the 2017 North Bay fires. The Press Democrat. 27 December 2017 . February 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230211104124/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/remembering-the-victims-of-the-north-bay-fires. 2023-02-11.
2. Web site: Atlas Fire. CALFIRE. October 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009234632/http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1866. 2017-10-09. dead.
3. News: At least 23 dead, 2,000 structures lost in Northern California firestorm, among worst in state's history. 2017-10-09. Los Angeles Times. 2017-10-10. en-US. 0458-3035.
4. Web site: At least 10 dead, 1,500 structures lost in Northern California firestorm, among worst in state's history. 9 October 2017. LA Times.
5. News: 'Armageddon': Apocalyptic images show the devastation caused by deadly wine-country fires. Hui. Mary. 2017-10-12. Washington Post. 2017-10-12. Lac. J. Freedom du. en-US. 0190-8286.
6. News: North Bay Fire Updates: Tubbs Fire 10% Contained, Atlas Fire 3% Contained. Eater SF. 2017-10-12.
7. News: Overnight winds were milder than expected, keeping Atlas fire's growth to a minimum. October 12, 2017. Los Angeles Times.
8. Web site: 2017 Atlas Fire Map . ArcGIS Online . 2023-05-21 .
9. Web site: At least 10 killed by fast-moving California wildfires, fire officials say. . 10 October 2017 .
10. News: Fire forces evacuation of Silverado Resort hours after Safeway Open ended - Golf Digest. Strege. John. Golf Digest. 2017-10-09. en.
11. Web site: Wind-blown fires in Napa and Calistoga prompt major night evacuations, school closures. Napa Valley Register. Howard. Yune. 9 October 2017 . Lee Enterprises.
12. News: Sonoma Raceway opening campground to evacuees seeking temporary refuge. 2017-10-12. en.
13. News: Atlas Fire flaring up in Napa County. Keller. Matt. 2017-10-12. ABC7 San Francisco. 2017-10-12. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20171013064816/http://abc7news.com/atlas-fire-flaring-up-outside-american-canyon/2523532/. 2017-10-13. dead.
14. Web site: Encroaching Atlas Fire Spurs Evacuations For Parts Of Fairfield. 11 October 2017 .
15. Web site: Live updates: Fire death toll at 29 in Northern California fires.
16. News: New evacuations ordered as Napa County wildfires grow. KCRA Staff. 2017-10-12. KCRA. 2017-10-12. en.