PG&E begins assessing damage caused by Valley Fire

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- PG&E says it will be a while before most evacuees can return home as they are still in the early stages of figuring out how bad the situation is and how quickly they can get in to make repairs.

PG&E crews are assessing the damage in Middletown as they make their way through the challenging terrain, working with fire officials to access safe areas where they can start repairs and rebuilding from the ground up in areas hardest hit.

PHOTOS: Fire crews battle massive Valley Fire

So far, crews have only been able to see a very small portion of the total damage zone

Power has been restored to a few Middletown businesses, but over 7,200 customers in Lake County are without power.

Along Highway 175, there are downed power lines, which PG&E is warning about, especially those hanging precariously low.

PHOTOS: ABC7 News at the Valley Fire

DONATIONS: How to help victims of the Valley Fire where you live

Much of the community is also without cellphone service or Wi-Fi.

In Middletown, a smoldering geothermal and solar power facility will need much repairs, but Alameda Municipal Power says, despite the damage, service to its Northern California customers is unaffected.

PG&E has set up an incident management team in Middletown to coordinate work with crews on a daily basis.

The Valley Fire in Lake, Sonoma, and Napa counties grew to 67,000 acres and is 15 percent contained. Four firefighters have been injured. Several people remain missing. There are 585 homes that have been destroyed and 9,000 structures are threatened. Several highway and school closures are still in effect.

RESOURCES: Valley Fire evacuation centers, school closure information

All classes and activities at schools in Middletown and Cobb are suspended until further notice, including this Friday's homecoming football game.

Right now there are already approximately 1,800 firefighters battling the blaze. More help from across the country is on the way.

Click here for full coverage on the Valley Fire.

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