Valley Fire evacuees fear for missing loved ones

CALISTOGA, Calif. (KGO) -- The [url HREF="http://abc7news.com/tag/valley-fire/" TARGET="" REL=""]explosive Valley Fire[/url] that charred three Northern California counties forced thousands from their homes as the flames devoured everything in its path. Now, hundreds of homes are destroyed and firefighters from across the state are being called in to help stop the fire's spread.[br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://abc7news.com/news/resources-valley-fire-evacuation-centers-school-closures/982676/" TARGET="" REL=""]RESOURCES: Valley Fire evacuation centers, school closure information[/url][/b][br /][br /]Thousands of evacuees are now staying at the Napa County Fairgrounds. They're talking about their escape, their worries, and how they're coping. Many have been trying to make the best of the situation. They know that they're lucky to be there, but are now left wondering where they go from here.[br /][br /]By the looks of it, the Napa County Fairgrounds could be mistaken for a camp site. But instead, it's become home to hundreds of evacuees affected by the fast -moving Valley Fire[br /][br /]"It was something black and billowy and something like you've never seen," said Middleton resident Mary June.[br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://abc7news.com/news/photos-fire-crews-battle-10000-acre-valley-fire-in-lake-county/981528/" TARGET="" REL=""]PHOTOS: Fire crews battle massive Valley Fire[/url][/b][br /][post ID="981528" /][br /][br /]Residents from Middletown say they usually see the fire travel up the mountain, not down where they are. But all that changed, they say, when the winds shifted, catching many by surprise[br /][br /]"I was just taking shower," said Middleton resident Richard Woita. "And when I went and looked out the back window, I saw the back of the ridge on fire and I started calling as many people as I could."[br /][br /]Evacuees are hoping for the best especially when they woke up to cooler weather and fog. But they're also preparing for the worst.[br /][br /]"I can't sleep," said Woita. "I'm thinking about my home, everything, my grandfather's home."[br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://abc7news.com/news/donations-how-to-help-valley-fire-victims/982772/" TARGET="" REL=""]DONATIONS: How to help victims of the Valley Fire where you live[/url][/b][br /][br /]Anderson Springs resident Adela Neft has even bigger things to worry about -- her missing husband.[br /][br /]"Last time I talked to him he said he didn't think he would be able to get out, that he was going to try to hike out if he had to," she said.[br /][br /]Neft is making a plea for her husband Leonard to find a phone and call her[br /][br /]"I kept telling him you need to leave you need to leave," she said.[br /][br /][twitter ID="643488084093476864" /][br /]Those who did leave say they barely escaped with a few personal belongings They're there thankful for the community's donations and caring hearts.[br /][br /]The Calistoga Athletic Booster cooked breakfast on Monday as one way to give back to those who lost so much.[br /][br /]"We started going at five in morning and we're gonna keep it going 'til they are all fed," said Calistoga Athletic booster Mark Galindo.[br /][br /]It started sprinkling late Monday morning, which is one good sign for firefighters who have been working around the clock to battle the fast-moving fire.[br /][br /]Cal Fire told ABC7 News that they're not sure when people will be able to go back to their homes or what is left of their homes.[br /][br /]Officials say there is a lot of infrastructure damage including downed power lines, downed trees, and messed up roads. So there's a lot of work to be done once they get a good handle on the fire.[br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://abc7news.com/tag/valley-fire/" TARGET="" REL=""]Click here[/url] for full coverage on the Valley Fire.[/b][br /][br /][b]If you see news where you live, tag your photos and videos on [url HREF="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abc7now" TARGET="" REL=""]Twitter[/url], [url HREF="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/abc7now/" TARGET="" REL=""]Instagram[/url], or [url HREF="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/abc7now" TARGET="" REL=""]Facebook[/url] with #abc7now.[/b][br /][Ads /][br /][br /][br /][br /][twitter ID="643503506960326658" /][br /][twitter ID="643503091380285441" /][br /][twitter ID="643495618481102848" /][br /][twitter ID="643487616235606017" /][br /][twitter ID="643426554681253888" /][br /][twitter ID="643427601248182273" /][br /][twitter ID="643417839685099521" /][br /][twitter ID="643424983474028545" /][br /][twitter ID="643424430954164225" /][br /][twitter ID="643249942136406016" /][br /][twitter ID="643241696403193856" /][br /][twitter ID="643236536092356608" /][br /][twitter ID="643210976783925252" /][br /][twitter ID="643225592637210625" /][br /][twitter ID="643220769724469248" /][br /][twitter ID="643217593231237120" /][br /][twitter ID="643184645991874561" /][br /][twitter ID="643205041076072449" /][br /][twitter ID="643044675901763588" /][br /][twitter ID="642931283677437952" /][br /][twitter ID="642961682524827648" /][br /][twitter ID="643130974696443904" /][br /][twitter ID="642951360539856896" /][br /][twitter ID="643044265904336897" /][br /][twitter ID="642972420131807232" /][br /][twitter ID="642953522527408130" /][br /][twitter ID="642936729494667264" /][br /][twitter ID="642868554295963648" /][br /][twitter ID="642876172401905664" /][br /][twitter ID="642915625870856192" /][br /][twitter ID="643091579142430720" /][br /][twitter ID="643090423955623936" /][br /][twitter ID="643109421892022272" /][br /][twitter ID="643123183462158336" /][br /][twitter ID="642888700360269824" /][br /][twitter ID="642863145959096320" /][br /][twitter ID="642886346277720064" /]tagboard ID="abc7now/243287" /]