Lightning Complex Fire

Walbridge Fire destroys homes near Healdsburg, Cal Fire calls it 'top priority'

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Thursday, August 20, 2020
Cal Fire calls the Walbridge Fire its top priority in the LNU Lightning Complex. The Walbridge and the Stewart Fire merged overnight and have burned 14,500 acres as of Thursday afternoon.
HEALDSBURG, Calif. (KGO) -- Cal Fire calls the Walbridge Fire its top priority in the LNU Lightning Complex.

RELATED: LNU Complex Lightning fires grow to 131,000 acres in North Bay

The Walbridge and the Stewart Fire merged overnight and have burned 14,500 acres as of Thursday afternoon.

Officials said there has been significant structure loss and damage.

An evacuation warning was issued for Healdsburg on Wednesday night because of a sudden increase in wind activity.

WATCH: Video shows terrifying escape through flames of LNU Lightning Complex fires
Video shows terrifying escape through flames of LNU Lightning Complex fires


On Thursday, officials said the warning was issued out of an abundance of caution, so residents could prepare for a potential evacuation order.

"While there has been spotting, it hasn't been long range enough to be concerned about it getting across the Dry Creek Valley at this point," said CAL FIRE Division Chief Ben Nichols.

Mill Creek Road in Sonoma County has become a smoldering burnscape.


And yet, it seemed almost benign when compared what must have been the hell that roared through here last night.

"It breaks my heart- this is our backyard. This is the fire we have worried about for decades," said Healdsburg Fire Chief Jason Boaz as he toured the fire zone with Supervisor James Gore, who usually has answers for everything.

Not today.

"Does anyone know how many homes burned?" we asked.

"15 to 20," said Gore. "But no one knows confirmed numbers.

On Mill Creek Road, the remnants only hint at what used to be there.

What used to be a beautiful drive through the trees is not, anymore.

RELATED: Here's what you need to know about all the fires burning in the Bay Area

All along that drive, the homes that held so many memories have turned to ashes.

Seth Lewers used to live there. "That was a barn. There was a six-bedroom house. There is another on the right about a hundred yards," he said.

We asked Seth if he could estimate how many homes survived.

"Two houses out of 15?"

Again, it is too early to know.

Almost too painful to guess.

Northern California fires: Staggering photos show scope of wildfires' devastation
Following the LNU Lightning Complex fires, a sign reading "Vaca Strong" adorns a charred hillside in Vacaville, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020.none
Following the LNU Lightning Complex fires, a sign reading "Vaca Strong" adorns a charred hillside in Vacaville, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020.none
Firefighter Cody Nordstrom takes a water break while fighting the CZU Lightning Complex Fire on Aug. 23, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
Burned vehicles and rubble from homes are left after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire went through Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.none
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires leap above Butts Canyon Road on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, as firefighters work to contain the blaze in unincorporated Lake County, Calif.none
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires jump Butts Canyon Rd. on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, as firefighters work to contain the blaze in unincorporated Lake County.none
Fire burns in the hollow of an old-growth redwood tree in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020.none
A redwood forest smolders Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif.none
A fallen redwood tree continues to burn Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif.none
Firefighter Jeremy Damon monitors a controlled burn in front of the advancing CZU August Lightning Complex Fire Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
An emergency vehicle goes along a smoke-filled mountain road as crews continue to fight the CZU August Lightning Complex fire Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
Firefighter monitor the advance of the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire in the backyard of a home Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
A firefighter stands on top of a fire truck along Highway 9 while monitoring flames from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
A burned-out vehicle is left in front of a fire-ravaged residence as smoke from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire fills the sky, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
Firefighters protect a home in the Berryessa Estates neighborhood of unincorporated Napa County, Calif., as the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020.AP
A chimney is all that is left standing at a residence after the CZU August Lightning Complex fire passed through Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
Crews from the Boulder Creek Fire Dept. keep an eye out on a flare up from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire along Highway 9 Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
A firefighter gets down from a fire truck along Highway 9 while monitoring flames from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
Firefighters make a stand in the backyard of a home in front of the advancing CZU August Lightning Complex Fire Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
A California Dept. of Corrections crew builds a containment line along Highway 9 to prevent the spread of the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek.AP
A firefighter walks along Highway 9 while monitoring flames from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
Firefighters protect a home in the Berryessa Estates neighborhood of unincorporated Napa County, Calif., as the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020.AP
Firefighters make a stand in the backyard of a home in front of the advancing CZU August Lightning Complex Fire Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.AP
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. The blaze went on to destroy multiple homes near Lake Berryessa.none
Thomas Henney, right, and Charles Chavira watch a plume spread over Healdsburg, Calif., as the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020.none
A forest burns as the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire advances on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
Firefighter Jeremy Damon monitors a controlled burn in the backyard of a home near the advancing CZU August Lightning Complex Fire on Aug. 21, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.none
Debris is strewn in an empty swimming pool of a wildfire-ravaged home after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
A firefighter rubs his head while watching the LNU Lightning Complex fires spread through the Berryessa Estates neighborhood of unincorporated Napa County, Calif. on Aug. 21, 2020.none
Firefighters protect a home in the Berryessa Estates neighborhood of unincorporated Napa County, Calif., as the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020.none
Firefighters make a stand in the backyard of a home in front of the advancing CZU August Lightning Complex Fire Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Boulder Creek, Calif.none
Solano County Community Animal Response Team volunteers Marshall Zavat, right, and Steve Hardin comfort a llama injured during the LNU Lightning Complex fires on Aug. 21, 2020.none
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires consume a home in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
Charred vehicles are left behind after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
Peter Koleckar reacts after seeing homes burned in his neighborhood after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn around Lake Berryessa in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
Smoke from the Carmel Fire hangs over Merk Family Vineyards near Carmel Valley, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
A chimney stands at a home destroyed by the River Fire in Salinas, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.none
Flames from the River fire burn a fence near Salinas, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020.none
A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighter works to save a home from the River fire near Salinas, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020.none
Smoke from wildfires obscures a view of the San Francisco skyline and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, as seen from Oakland, Calif.none
Flames lick at the remains of a house destroyed by the River fire near Salinas, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020.none
A charred tricycle is left behind in a fire-ravaged home after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire in Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
Horses stand in an enclosure as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat community in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
Members of the Grizzly Firefighters fight the Carmel Fire near Carmel Valley, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
This shows the aftermath of the Yin Ranch Event And Conference Place from LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville on Aug. 19, 2020.none
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires lick above a fire truck in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
A cameraman films flames flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires in Vacaville, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
Th fence of a home is burned by the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire in Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, near Bonny Doon, Calif.none
Smoke sits over downtown Boulder Creek, Calif. on Aug. 20, 2020.none
The LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat community in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires jump Interstate 80 in Vacaville, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
Inmate firefighters rest during a break from working against the River Fire in Salinas, Calif., Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.none
Flames from the River Fire crest a ridge in Salinas, Calif., Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.none
A melted interstate sign on Lyon Road in Fairfield after the LNU Lightning Complex Fire jumped I-80 on Aug. 20, 2020.none
A fire-damaged home is seen after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
A fire evacuee's taillight was melted as he drove through a fiery road to evacuate his home in Winters, Calif. on Aug. 19, 2020.none
A fire vehicle passes burning trees on Pleasants Valley Rd. near Winters, Calif., as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the area on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
Smoke from a wildfire fills the air over Silicon Valley in an aerial view, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in San Jose, Calif.none
The LNU Lightning Complex fire destroyed the Yin Ranch Event And Conference Place in Vacaville on Aug. 19, 2020.none
A fire-damaged home is seen in the Pineridge subdivision after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif.none
A fire crew gathers at the Carmel Fire near Carmel Valley, Calif,. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
A mobile home and car burn at Spanish Flat Mobile Villa as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
An air tanker drops retardant as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat community in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
A helicopter carrying water to drop on the the Carmel Fire flies over Georis Winery near Carmel Valley, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
Burned vehicles rest beneath a tree after the LNU Lightning Complex fires tore through Vacaville, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.none
Bill Nichols, 84, works to save his home as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through Vacaville, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Nichols has lived in the home for 77 years.none
Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of blazes sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues.none
Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of blazes sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues.none
An outbuilding burns as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat area of unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
A plume rises over a vineyard in unincorporated Napa County as the Hennessey Fire burns on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
A thick haze of smoke over the Bay Area on Aug. 19, 2020.none
Trees near a vineyard on Cachagua Road burn in the Carmel Fire near Carmel Valley, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of blazes sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues.none
Smoke sits over downtown Boulder Creek, Calif. on Aug. 20, 2020.none
Members of the Grizzly Firefighters fight the Carmel Fire near Carmel Valley, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.none
Trees and a structure burn on Pleasants Valley Rd. near Winters, Calif., as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the area on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Fire crews across thenone
A sign in Felton, Calif. thanks firefighters. Felton was ordered to evacuate on Aug. 20, 2020.none


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