Nikki Conant cries as she looks at the debris of her home and business, "Conants Wine Barrel Creations," after the Glass/Shady fire completely engulfed it, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Conants escaped with their lives, which we are grateful for, but they barely made it out with the clothes on their backs in the wake of the fire. The Glass and Zogg fires are among nearly 30 wildfires burning in California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Firefighters were warily watching for "violent" winds expected in California's wine country Thursday that could fan the flames of a large blaze that has destroyed more than 140 homes and is threatening thousands more in a small town known for hot springs, mud baths and wineries.
More fire crews and equipment were deployed overnight in and around Calistoga, a town of 5,000 people in the hills of Napa County, after a forecast called for strong winds amid extreme and low humidity beginning late Wednesday.
The winds didn't materialize overnight and no fire damage had been reported within city limits but crews were preparing for gusty winds, extreme heat and low humidity forecast for later Thursday, Calistoga officials said in a statement.
At least 2,000 firefighters are battling the Glass Fire, which has charred 89 square miles in Napa and Sonoma counties. It has destroyed about 250 buildings, including 143 homes.
It's the fourth major fire there in three years and comes ahead of the third anniversary of an Oct. 8, 2017, wildfire that killed 22 people. Three fires, driven by gusty winds and high temperatures, merged into one on Sunday, tearing into vineyards and mountain areas, including part of the city of Santa Rosa. About 70,000 people were under evacuation orders, including the entire population of Calistoga.
Red flag warnings of extreme fire danger were to continue into Friday evening for large swaths of Northern California.
California's power grid operator called for voluntary conservation of electricity Thursday as high heat is expected to grip the state.
The California Independent System Operator issued a Flex Alert for the period from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. due to an expected increase in electricity demand, primarily from use of air conditioning.
About 150 miles to the north of wine country, the Zogg Fire, which also erupted during Sunday's high winds and grew quickly, has killed four people, Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini said Wednesday.
Kevin Conant looks down at hundreds of burnt metal rings left from burned wine barrels at his business "Conants Wine Barrel Creations," after the Glass/Shady fire completely engulfed it in Santa Rosa, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. The Conants escaped with their lives, which we are grateful for, but they barely made it out with the clothes on their backs in the wake of the fire. The Glass and Zogg fires are among nearly 30 wildfires burning in California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Kevin Conant and his wife, Nikki, look at the debris of their home and business "Conants Wine Barrel Creations," after the Glass/Shady fire completely engulfed it, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Conants escaped with their lives, which we are grateful for, but they barely made it out with the clothes on their backs in the wake of the fire. The Glass and Zogg fires are among nearly 30 wildfires burning in California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Kevin Conant and his wife, Nikki, walk through debris of their burnt home and business "Conants Wine Barrel Creations," after the Glass/Shady fire completely engulfed it, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Conants escaped with their lives, which we are grateful for, but they barely made it out with the clothes on their backs in the wake of the fire. The Glass and Zogg fires are among nearly 30 wildfires burning in California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Kevin Conant and his wife, Nikki, sift through debris of their burnt home and business "Conants Wine Barrel Creations," after the Glass/Shady fire completely engulfed it, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Conants escaped with their lives, which we are grateful for, but they barely made it out with the clothes on their backs in the wake of the fire. The Glass and Zogg fires are among nearly 30 wildfires burning in California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Kevin Conant and his wife, Nikki, hug after looking at the debris of their burnt home and business "Conants Wine Barrel Creations," after the Glass/Shady fire completely engulfed it, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Conants escaped with their lives, which we are grateful for, but they barely made it out with the clothes on their backs in the wake of the fire. The Glass and Zogg fires are among nearly 30 wildfires burning in California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
