wildfire

'We left with nothing': Glass Fire forces thousands from Napa County homes, many narrowly escape flames

ByCornell Barnard KGO logo

Monday, September 28, 2020

Napa Co. residents describe terrifying escape from Glass Fire

Glass Fire emergency evacuees describe the intense moments escaping the growing flames as they fled their St. Helena homes on Sunday. One resident ran out of her home, lost her dogs and shared just how lucky she was to escape.

ST. HELENA, Calif. (KGO) -- Red Flag fire conditions did not help fire crews Sunday as they battled the Glass Fire in Napa County.

The fire was ferocious, exploding in size within hours overnight, burning through the hills of wine country northeast of St. Helena.

By sunrise, CAL FIRE was attacking the Glass Fire from all sides as it burned across a ridge. Choppers made countless runs dumping water.

"It's a battle," said one firefighter from Sonoma County.

Fire crews were challenged with red flag conditions: hot temperatures and gusty winds.

Jan Zakin lives in the evacuation zone on North Crystal Springs Road, she said there was no time to grab anything.

"We woke up in the middle of the night and saw flames. I was in my underwear, there was a car on fire blocking access out, my dog ran away, I still haven't found her, we left with nothing, just literally with nothing. We're so lucky to be alive." " Zakin said.

Jan's beloved dog, Zsa Zsa ran away during the evacuation. Sadly, the dog was found hours later, badly burned. She's now being treated by a vet. Her prognosis unknown.

"We are evacuating our hospital, and no longer accepting patients until it's safe," said Jill Kinney from Adventist Health.

55 patients at Adventist Hospital were moved out by ambulance to other facilities as the fire got closer, some were airlifted out by chopper.

St. Helena's Adventist Health Medical Center is evacuating patients because of a fast-moving fire in Napa County.

It's déj vu for many evacuees. They were forced to leave just weeks ago for the LNU Complex fire.

"It gets tiring, it's becoming a lifestyle, it's a beautiful place but it's not right," said evacuee Magaly Otero.

Editorial note: Jan Zakin told ABC7 News Monday that sadly Zsa Zsa passed away from her injuries and wants to thank everyone who sent thoughts and prayers for her recovery.

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