Napa's new alarm system legacy from last year's fires
NAPA, Calif. (KGO) -- In the year since the North Bay Fires, police and fire agencies have looked to the past with an eye toward making things better in the future. The idea is to learn from what happened, especially in those first critical hours and implement new strategies to keep their communities safe in the next disaster.
Now, there's an unfamiliar sound meant to get the immediate attention of residents in Napa County during a major emergency.
"We've had fires, floods and earthquakes," said Napa County Sheriff John Robertson, who calls a new European hi-lo siren one result of the lessons learned from last year's devastating wildfires. "It allows us to drive through country roads, allowing us to advise people rapidly advising people that there's an emergency."
The Atlas and Tubbs Fires both raged through Napa County last October, killing six people and causing millions of dollars in property damage.
RELATED: Remembrance events for one-year anniversary of Sonoma County fires
The hi-lo sirens are just one new tool. Napa County has also distributed thousands of evacuation tags for residents to place on their mailbox, fence, gate or door before evacuating.
The hope is they will save first responders countless hours and hopefully, some lives.
"It allows us to drive through a neighborhood, see that an entire strip of homes are evacuated and we can move on to places where people don't know about the fire yet or the emergency," explained Napa County Sheriffs Captain Chris Carlisle.
Still, given the magnitude and of last year's wildfires, the intensity of the winds, the speed and height of the flames, first responders here are well aware that no amount of preparation can guarantee it won't happen again.
"Fifty extra fire engines wouldn't have put those fires out that night," explained Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann. "There was not a chance that we were going to be able to contain that fire and stop it from spreading. Those conditions would not allow that type of firefight to occur."
The North Bay Fires: One Year Later:
- Before & After: DRONEVIEW7 shows North Bay Fires devastation, recovery
- Santa Rosa police video highlights importance of wildfire evacuation preparation
- Two families, two paths, one year after the Tubbs Fire in Coffey Park
- Therapy horses that helped Jaycee Dugard return one year after Nuns Fire
- Winery in Napa Valley showing signs of recovery 1 year after Atlas Peak fire
- Santa Rosa remembers firestorm anniversary with community prayer service
- VIDEO: Santa Rosa neighborhood before and after the North Bay Fire
- Santa Rosa Police BodyCam Video shows heroism of officers during the October 2017 Firestorm
- Winery in Napa Valley showing signs of recovery 1 year after Atlas Peak fire
- Napa Valley golf tournament back in full swing one year after North Bay fires
Here's a look back at some of our best photos and videos, and uplifting stories that surfaced from this devastating disaster.
Communities Come Together:
- North Bay nonprofit helps fire victims with yoga classes, services
- Tears, triumph for North Bay Fire victims at premiere of 'Urban Inferno' documentary
- First home completed in Santa Rosa's Fountaingrove after wildfire destroyed community
- First home rebuilt in Santa Rosa's Coffey Park after North Bay fires
- 91-year-old man gets new home after devastating North Bay Firestorm
- Woman's lemon trees bring hope back to residents burned out by North Bay Fires
- Santa Rosa fire survivor throws first pitch at Oakland A's game
- Santa Rosa bus drivers saved hundreds of lives during North Bay fires
- Country music superstar, actress hold benefit concert for North Bay fire victims
- Center in Santa Rosa aims to help over 500 North Bay fire victims
Best Videos:
- North Bay fires by the numbers - timeline and statistics
- Body camera video shows terrifying evacuations during North Bay wildfires
- Video shows Santa Rosa bus rescuing residents, escaping from North Bay wildfires
- BEFORE AND AFTER: North Bay neighborhoods devastated by wildfires
- In their words: Wildfire evacuees describe the devastation in their communities
- Go on the front lines with first responders during North Bay wildfires
- EXCLUSIVE: Sulphur Fire victims tell harrowing tale of driving through flames, escaping alive
- DroneView7 shows beautiful Napa after wildfires
- Enormous plume of smoke sits over North Bay
- Driving through destroyed Santa Rosa neighborhood
Best Photos:
- 360 PHOTOS: Devastation in Sonoma, Napa
- 360 PHOTOS: Devastation in Glen Ellen, Kenwood
- 360 PHOTOS: Devastation in Santa Rosa
- Fires rage and burn through wine country, NorCal
Incredible Animal Stories:
- Heartwarming gathering brings North Bay fire animal rescuers and owners together
- Cat survives 3 months in North Bay fire zone
- Hero dog that stayed behind with family's goats during Tubbs fire found safe
- A look back at families reunited with pets after North Bay Fires
- 'We thought he was so gone' Santa Rosa family tearfully reunited with dog lost in fires
- Cat missing for 10 years found after surviving Tubbs Fire
- 200-pound tortoise evacuated with wheelbarrow from North Bay fires
- Thousands of animals, Safari West surviving North Bay fires is a 'miracle'
- Santa Rosa resident finds missing dog after long search through fire debris
- Napa man says 2 horses survived wildfire, found their way home
Tips from ABC7
- How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation
- Get help with North Bay fire relief
- How to sign up for emergency alerts where you live
- How to cope with stress after a disaster
- The perfect reminder to thank a first responder
- Safety tips to remember when returning home after wildfire
- Clever ways to keep kids occupied in wildfire shelters
Go here for full coverage on the North Bay fires.
