Glass Fire

Glass Fire: Drive down Highway 29 shows damage to historic Napa County wineries

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Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Just like you've probably done if you've visited any of the famous Napa Valley wineries, ABC7 News anchor Eric Thomas took a drive down Highway 29 and Silverado Trail in Napa County. Here's what he saw.
CALISTOGA, Calif. (KGO) -- The Glass Fire burning in the North Bay has forced thousands to evacuate, destroyed more than a hundred homes and has devastated parts of the wine industry in Napa Valley.

Just like you've probably done if you've visited any of the famous wineries there, ABC7 News anchor Eric Thomas took a drive down Highway 29 and Silverado Trail in Napa County on Tuesday.

RELATED: Michelin-starred restaurant at Meadowood destroyed by Glass Fire

Here's what he saw.

Our tour along Highway 29 began about two miles south of Calistoga, where a finger of fire on the west side of the road burned downslope to within a few feet of the road surface.

No lives were threatened, but it was a potent reminder.

Less than a mile farther south we took a quick look at the historic Bale Grist Mill State Park.

It's centered around a mill built back in the 1840s where Napa Valley residents used to bring grain to be crushed into flour or meal.

The Glass Fire got uncomfortably close but didn't appear to cause any damage.

VIDEO: Parts of famed Castello di Amorosa Winery destroyed in Glass Fire
Glass Fire destroys parts of famed Napa Valley winery


Next, we took Route 29 north into the heart of Calistoga.

The tourist area downtown would normally be bustling this time of year, but unfortunately due to the fire's proximity, it was almost a ghost town.

However, it led us to Dunaweal Lane, home to several vineyards.

At Sterling Vineyards, the main building wasn't touched, but some of the surroundings were damaged.

PHOTOS: North Bay wildfires ravage California's wine country
Firefighters from the Sacramento Fire Department work to contain the Glass Fire in Napa County on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Deer Park, California.none
Fire continues to burn at a home that was destroyed by the Glass Incident on September 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, California.none
he remains of a home that was destroyed by the Glass Incident on September 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, California.none
Fire continues to burn at a home that was destroyed by the Glass Incident Fire on September 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, California.none
Firefighters work to contain the Glass Fire along Sanitarium Road in Napa County on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Deer Park, Calif.none
Firefighters pour water on a burning structure after the Glass Incident moved through the Oakmont neighborhood on September 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, California.none
A fire burns near an electric utility tower as the Glass Incident burns in the area on September 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, California.none
The remains of a home that was destroyed by the Glass Incident on September 28, 2020, in Santa Rosa, California.none
The Chateau Boswell Winery burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area on September 27, 2020, in St. Helena, California.none
The Chateau Boswell Winery burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area on September 27, 2020, in St. Helena, California.none
The Chateau Boswell Winery burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area on September 27, 2020, in St. Helena, California.none
The Chateau Boswell Winery burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area on September 27, 2020, in St. Helena, California.none
The Global Supertanker drops retardant while battling the Glass Fire in Napa County, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Flames from the Glass Fire consume a vineyard building in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Firefighters work to save the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
An emergency vehicle drives along Silverado Trail as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
A fire engine leaves a burning property as the Glass Fire tears through St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Embers fly from a tree as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
The Glass Fire burns a hillside above Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Flames from the Glass Fire consume the Glass Mountain Inn, late Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Helena, Calif.AP
Firefighters knock down flames on a dog house while battling the Glass Fire burning in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Flames from the Glass Fire consume the Glass Mountain Inn, late Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Helena, Calif.AP
Flames consume an Oakmont neighborhood home as the Glass Fire burns in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2020.AP
Cal Fire Capt. Jesse Campbell works to save the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Flames from the Glass Fire consume the Glass Mountain Inn in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.AP
Flames consume an Oakmont neighborhood home as the Glass Fire burns in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2020.AP
Homes leveled by the Glass Fire line a street in the Skyhawk neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020.AP
Firefighter Chris De La Cruz rests in front of a burned home while battling the Glass Fire in the Skyhawk neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020.AP


Equipment near the pad used for crushing grapes was heavily damaged, including a truck hauling hundreds of plastic goblets that were destroyed by fire; it's cargo melted into a huge glob.

Finally, we stopped at Fairwinds Estates Winery, a fixture since 1969.

The visitor's center burned to the ground, only the fireplace left standing.

There was also major damage to the main building and tasting room.

Thankfully no one was hurt in any of the areas we toured.


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