Moment US Firefighters Pass Through Mountain Glass Fire

Story ByLee Bullen, Sub EditorJoseph Golder, AgencyNewsflash

This is the ‘disaster-movie’ moment US firefighters drive along a mountain road at night as the devastating Glass Fire burns Californian woodland on either side.

@AlamedaCountyFire/Newsflash

The Glass Fire, which has also ravaged the Californian county of Sonoma, was filmed in St Helena in Napa County on 30th September.

The blaze burning northwest of St Helena has grown to over 2,500 acres, with zero percent containment, and is threatening almost 2,300 buildings, according to CAL FIRE.

Almost 900 firefighters from local fire departments and CAL FIRE are battling the blaze. Officials say hydroplanes are helping in the fight when conditions permit.

@AlamedaCountyFire/Newsflash

Alameda County Fire Department said they had been “working for the last 72 hours as part of the initial attack at the Glass Fire”.

The fire brigade added: “Crews are assigned to the Calistoga/St Helena region to save homes, wineries, and vineyards. While en route, firefighters are passing live fire to perform structure triage and to protect structures and livestock.

“They have been faced with extreme weather and fire behaviour. With multiple fires working in the state, there is no relief in sight. Crew morale is good, and overall the community is very thankful.”

@AlamedaCountyFire/Newsflash

The footage shows a fire team passing through burning woodland at night, as well as attending a farm blaze.

On Tuesday evening, over 22,000 homes were at risk after the Glass Fire had already destroyed at least 115 structures in the counties of Sonoma and Napa.

CAL FIRE operation chief Mark Burton said earlier this week: “We have significant fire activity threatening the community of Angwin and also burning toward Pope Valley.

@AlamedaCountyFire/Newsflash

“We have aircraft working there aggressively this morning to help mitigate that… All yesterday was a run-and-gun battle with the fire within the community of Angwin and around that community with our limited resources.”

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Napa and Sonoma counties on Monday, and asked President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration.

The mandatory evacuation order for the city of Calistoga is also in effect until further notice.

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