Photo: Courtesy Of Linn Walsh / / Courtesy Of Linn Walsh Image 1 of / 80 Caption Close 
 
 Image 1 of 80 Mill Valley Fire Chief Tom Welch lost his home in the North Bay wildfires, city officials said. Mill Valley Fire Chief Tom Welch lost his home in the North Bay wildfires, city officials said. Photo: Courtesy Of Linn Walsh / / Courtesy Of Linn Walsh 
 
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 Image 3 of 80 Buy photo A water tanker truck to support fire crews overturned, killing the driver on Oakville Grade near Highway 29 on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Oakville, CA. A water tanker truck to support fire crews overturned, killing the driver on Oakville Grade near Highway 29 on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Oakville, CA. Photo: Paul Kuroda, Special To The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
 Image 4 of 80 Buy photo Fire along the ridge in Oakville being doused by helicopters on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Oakville, CA. Fire along the ridge in Oakville being doused by helicopters on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Oakville, CA. Photo: Paul Kuroda, Special To The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
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 Image 6 of 80 A large plume of smoke rises above the mountains between Napa and Sonoma, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. A large plume of smoke rises above the mountains between Napa and Sonoma, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 7 of 80 Buy photo Scott family members Melody (left), Jenna, 9, Olivia, 3, being held by Kaylee, 12, and Daniel, 9, at New Hope Baptist service at the DoubleTree hotel in Rohnert Park. Scott family members Melody (left), Jenna, 9, Olivia, 3, being held by Kaylee, 12, and Daniel, 9, at New Hope Baptist service at the DoubleTree hotel in Rohnert Park. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
 Image 8 of 80 Brittany Perry hands out a free ash sifter to a fire victim at Pacific Coast Custom Interiors in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Brittany Perry hands out a free ash sifter to a fire victim at Pacific Coast Custom Interiors in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 9 of 80 From atop his truck parked along Highway 29, Marcos Barrera of Napa watches fires burn west of St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. From atop his truck parked along Highway 29, Marcos Barrera of Napa watches fires burn west of St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 11 of 80 After the mandatory fire evacuation order was lifted, 10-year-old twins Porter and Katie Lynch pause while riding their bikes on Cedar Street in Calistoga, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. After the mandatory fire evacuation order was lifted, 10-year-old twins Porter and Katie Lynch pause while riding their bikes on Cedar Street in Calistoga, Calif., on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 12 of 80 Caroll Niel leans on her husband, firefighter Tony Niel, in the motorhome where they are staying following the Tubbs fire on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Forestville, Calif. Caroll Niel leans on her husband, firefighter Tony Niel, in the motorhome where they are staying following the Tubbs fire on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Forestville, Calif. Photo: Noah Berger / Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 13 of 80 Santa Rosa firefighter Tony Niel passes a portion of fence standing at his Mark West Estates home, which burned during the Tubbs fire, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa firefighter Tony Niel passes a portion of fence standing at his Mark West Estates home, which burned during the Tubbs fire, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Santa Rosa. Photo: Noah Berger / Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 14 of 80 Santa Rosa Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal walks through his Oxford Ct. residence, which burned during the Tubbs fire, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal walks through his Oxford Ct. residence, which burned during the Tubbs fire, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Santa Rosa. Photo: Noah Berger / Special To The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 17 of 80 Buy photo Statue at the Mondavi Winery and a groundsman mows lawn as fires burn on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Oakville, CA. Statue at the Mondavi Winery and a groundsman mows lawn as fires burn on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Oakville, CA. Photo: Paul Kuroda, Special To The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
 Image 18 of 80 Josiah Gist (right) joins fellow Santa Cruz firefighters in using pool water in firefighting efforts at a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Josiah Gist (right) joins fellow Santa Cruz firefighters in using pool water in firefighting efforts at a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 19 of 80 A firefighter walks through what remains of a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. A firefighter walks through what remains of a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 21 of 80 Three firefighters look at a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Three firefighters look at a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 22 of 80 The sun sets over Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The sun sets over Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 23 of 80 Smoke in the hills east of Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Smoke in the hills east of Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 24 of 80 The chimney is all that remains standing at a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The chimney is all that remains standing at a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 26 of 80 Santa Cruz firefighters' Josiah Gist and Ian Adams carry a hose over the pool of a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Santa Cruz firefighters' Josiah Gist and Ian Adams carry a hose over the pool of a large home that burned in The Ranch subdivision in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 27 of 80 Fire fighters work on putting out hotspots at a home off Lovall Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Fire fighters work on putting out hotspots at a home off Lovall Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 28 of 80 Gss main continues to burn at a home destroyed by flames early Saturday morning along the 1100 block of Castle Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Gss main continues to burn at a home destroyed by flames early Saturday morning along the 1100 block of Castle Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 29 of 80 A water tender sprays water along the roadside to put out hot spots along the 1100 block of Castle Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. A water tender sprays water along the roadside to put out hot spots along the 1100 block of Castle Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 31 of 80 Sun rises behind burned out hillside east of the town of Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Sun rises behind burned out hillside east of the town of Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 32 of 80 Fire fighters work on putting out hotspots in a garage at a home off Lovall Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Fire fighters work on putting out hotspots in a garage at a home off Lovall Rd in Sonoma, California, USA 14 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 33 of 80 Search and rescue worker rests on his car after looking through the rubble of a home on Millbrook Drive on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Search and rescue worker rests on his car after looking through the rubble of a home on Millbrook Drive on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Photo: Mason Trinca, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 34 of 80 Search and rescue worker looks through the rubble of a home on Millbrook Drive on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Search and rescue worker looks through the rubble of a home on Millbrook Drive on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Photo: Mason Trinca, Special To The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 36 of 80 Search and rescue workers dig the rubble of a home on Millbrook Drive on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Rosa, Calif. Search and rescue workers dig the rubble of a home on Millbrook Drive on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Rosa, Calif. Photo: Mason Trinca, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 37 of 80 California Highway Patrol officer Tracy Ross (center) talks on the phone while assiting Tom Sours (left) of Napa, as he was trying to get to his home to pick up some items on Friday, October 13, 2017 in Napa, Calif. less California Highway Patrol officer Tracy Ross (center) talks on the phone while assiting Tom Sours (left) of Napa, as he was trying to get to his home to pick up some items on Friday, October 13, 2017 in Napa, ... more Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 38 of 80 Search and rescue workers search for Tubbs fire victims at Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. According Sgt. Dave Thompson, in charge of search and rescue operations for the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, crews have recovered another body at the site. less Search and rescue workers search for Tubbs fire victims at Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. According Sgt. Dave Thompson, in charge of search and rescue operations ... more Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 39 of 80 Search and rescue workers from the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office search for Tubbs fire victims at Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. According Sgt. Dave Thompson, in charge of search and rescue operations for the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, crews have recovered another body at the site. less Search and rescue workers from the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office search for Tubbs fire victims at Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. According Sgt. Dave Thompson, in ... more Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 41 of 80 Search and rescue workers use human remain detection dogs to search for Tubbs fire victims at Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. According Sgt. Dave Thompson, in charge of search and rescue operations for the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, crews have recovered another body at the site. less Search and rescue workers use human remain detection dogs to search for Tubbs fire victims at Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. According Sgt. Dave Thompson, in ... more Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 42 of 80 A man shows a burnt paper after a wildfire moved through the area in Santa Rosa and Napa Valley in California, United States on October 13, 2017. Massive out-of-controls wildfires have claimed at least 31 people and destroyed 3,500 homes in Northern California as the deadliest in state history. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) less A man shows a burnt paper after a wildfire moved through the area in Santa Rosa and Napa Valley in California, United States on October 13, 2017. Massive out-of-controls wildfires have claimed at least 31 ... more Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images 
 
 Image 43 of 80 The remains are seen after a wildfire moved through the area in Santa Rosa and Napa Valley in California, United States on October 13, 2017. Massive out-of-controls wildfires have claimed at least 31 people and destroyed 3,500 homes in Northern California as the deadliest in state history. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) less The remains are seen after a wildfire moved through the area in Santa Rosa and Napa Valley in California, United States on October 13, 2017. Massive out-of-controls wildfires have claimed at least 31 people and ... more Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images 
 
 Image 44 of 80 Chrystal Couto holds a poster of her grandmother as Aaron Austin looks on in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. The couple from Redway, are searching for Couto's grandmother and her husband, who haven't been heard from since a wildfire tore through the older couple's Santa Rosa neighborhood. They are hanging flyers in evacuation centers with photos of the older couple. (AP Photo/Paul Elias) less Chrystal Couto holds a poster of her grandmother as Aaron Austin looks on in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. The couple from Redway, are searching for Couto's grandmother and her husband, who ... more Photo: Paul Elias/AP 
 
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 Image 46 of 80 Flowers mark the spot where their father died as Chuck and Mike (R) Rippey stand in the ruins of the house of 100-year-old Charles and 98-year-old Sara Rippey, who were killed in the Atlas Fire just after it began, on October 12, 2017 near Napa, California. Thousands homes have burned and two dozen people have been confirmed dead so far as numerous wildfires continue to spread in eight Northern California counties. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) less Flowers mark the spot where their father died as Chuck and Mike (R) Rippey stand in the ruins of the house of 100-year-old Charles and 98-year-old Sara Rippey, who were killed in the Atlas Fire just after it ... more Photo: David McNew/Getty Images 
 
 Image 47 of 80 Wine tanks burned by the Tubbs fire stand behind Robert Ellison's sculpture "Frame" at Paradise Ridge Vineyard & Winery in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Wine tanks burned by the Tubbs fire stand behind Robert Ellison's sculpture "Frame" at Paradise Ridge Vineyard & Winery in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 48 of 80 In this Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, photo provided by Sam Brinkerhoff, his wife Monica Brinkerhoff takes a photo of her wedding ring that was found in the burned remains of her home in Santa Rosa, Calif. She had hoped to retrieve a passport from her fire-resistant safe, but that too was consumed by the flames. She wasn't prepared for what she did find, the couple's soot-covered engagement rings, with a pair of etched hearts still visible on one of the bands. (Sam Brinkerhoff via AP) less In this Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, photo provided by Sam Brinkerhoff, his wife Monica Brinkerhoff takes a photo of her wedding ring that was found in the burned remains of her home in Santa Rosa, Calif. She had ... more Photo: Sam Brinkerhoff/AP 
 
 Image 49 of 80 Firefighters try to extinguish a house fire during the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,500 homes and businesses in several Northern California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less Firefighters try to extinguish a house fire during the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 
 
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 Image 51 of 80 A CalFire chief runs past burning grass during a firing operation while battling the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,500 homes and businesses in several Northern California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less A CalFire chief runs past burning grass during a firing operation while battling the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 
 
 Image 52 of 80 Two firefighters watch for spot fires Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif. Firefighters gained some ground on a blaze burning in the heart of California's wine country but face another tough day ahead with low humidity and high winds expected to return. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) less Two firefighters watch for spot fires Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif. Firefighters gained some ground on a blaze burning in the heart of California's wine country but face another tough day ahead ... more Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press 
 
 Image 53 of 80 A CalFire firefighter uses a hand tool as he monitors a firing operation while battling the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,500 homes and businesses in several Northern California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less A CalFire firefighter uses a hand tool as he monitors a firing operation while battling the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 
 
 Image 54 of 80 A firefighter carries a water hose to put out a fire during along the Highway 29 Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif. Firefighters gained some ground on a blaze burning in the heart of California's wine country but face another tough day ahead with low humidity and high winds expected to return. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) less A firefighter carries a water hose to put out a fire during along the Highway 29 Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif. Firefighters gained some ground on a blaze burning in the heart of California's ... more Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press 
 
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 Image 56 of 80 Firefighters watch from their fire trucks as wildfires continue to burn Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif. Some of the state's most historic tourist sites, including Sonoma city and Calistoga in Napa Valley, were ghost towns populated only by fire crews trying to stop the advancing infernos. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) less Firefighters watch from their fire trucks as wildfires continue to burn Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif. Some of the state's most historic tourist sites, including Sonoma city and Calistoga in ... more Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press 
 
 Image 57 of 80 The Puerta la Cruz female inmate firefighter crew clears vegetation near homes in Dry Creek Canyon to try to save them as the Partrick Fire approaches on October 12, 2017 west of Napa, California. Inmate hand crews work under the supervision of Cal Fire, which refers to them as firefighters rather than prisoners because they perform the same job as the elite Hot Shot firefighter crews. Thousands of homes have burned, at least 31 people confirmed killed with hundreds still missing as California wildfires continue to spread out of control. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) less The Puerta la Cruz female inmate firefighter crew clears vegetation near homes in Dry Creek Canyon to try to save them as the Partrick Fire approaches on October 12, 2017 west of Napa, California. Inmate hand ... more Photo: David McNew/Getty Images 
 
 Image 58 of 80 Firefighters try to extinguish a house fire during the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,500 homes and businesses in several Northern California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less Firefighters try to extinguish a house fire during the Tubbs Fire on October 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California. At least thirty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 
 
 Image 59 of 80 Neighbors gather along Old Vineyard Road to watch the progress of the fire as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires not yet under control and growing fears that strong winds might worsen the situation. less Neighbors gather along Old Vineyard Road to watch the progress of the fire as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 61 of 80 Buy photo Flames erupt off Lovall Valley Road as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires not yet under control and growing fears that strong winds might worsen the situation. less Flames erupt off Lovall Valley Road as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
 Image 62 of 80 Homes leveled by the Tubbs fire line a neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Homes leveled by the Tubbs fire line a neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 63 of 80 Buy photo A Cal Fire helicopter drops water on a smoldering area as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires not yet under control and growing fears that strong winds might worsen the situation. less A Cal Fire helicopter drops water on a smoldering area as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
 Image 64 of 80 Dr. Emily Putt tries to calm an anxious horse as her friend retrieves tranquilizers to administer to it as they rescue two horses for an evacuation Oct. 11, 2017 in Sonoma, Calif. Putt has been working with her friends since Monday, when the fires broke out, to rescue animals that are being threatened by the fires. less Dr. Emily Putt tries to calm an anxious horse as her friend retrieves tranquilizers to administer to it as they rescue two horses for an evacuation Oct. 11, 2017 in Sonoma, Calif. Putt has been working with her ... more Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 66 of 80 A grove of trees near Trinity Road glows as it burns near a vineyard after a mandatory evacuation was called in the area of Glen Ellen, Calif., on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires not yet under control and growing fears that strong winds might worsen the situation. less A grove of trees near Trinity Road glows as it burns near a vineyard after a mandatory evacuation was called in the area of Glen Ellen, Calif., on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 67 of 80 Two police officers direct a motorist to return at a road closure at Madrone Road after a mandatory evacuation was called in the area of Glen Ellen, Calif., on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires not yet under control and growing fears that strong winds might worsen the situation. less Two police officers direct a motorist to return at a road closure at Madrone Road after a mandatory evacuation was called in the area of Glen Ellen, Calif., on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 68 of 80 Off. Richard Quintana and fellow California Highway Patrol officers go door to door urging residents to leave Sonoma, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Off. Richard Quintana and fellow California Highway Patrol officers go door to door urging residents to leave Sonoma, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 69 of 80 John Gilson and Derek DeBendetti (left to right) try to put out a hot spot at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Gilson is Dean of Students at Cardinal Newman as well as the Varsity Women's Soccer coach and Freshman Baseball coach. DeBanedetti is a math teacher at Cardinal Newman and the Varisty Baseball Coach. The school suffered major damages in the Tubbs Fire. less John Gilson and Derek DeBendetti (left to right) try to put out a hot spot at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Gilson is Dean of Students at Cardinal Newman as well ... more Photo: Alex Washburn, The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 71 of 80 A firefighter works in a devastated neighborhood as an American flag flies from the remains of a home on Willowview Ct. off Skyview Dr. Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, Calif. A firefighter works in a devastated neighborhood as an American flag flies from the remains of a home on Willowview Ct. off Skyview Dr. Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, Calif. Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 72 of 80 Karen Balestieri and Heidi Facciano (left to right) marvel at a pond of live koi fish which survived the Tubbs fire in the neighborhood referred to by locals as 'old fountaingrove' in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. less Karen Balestieri and Heidi Facciano (left to right) marvel at a pond of live koi fish which survived the Tubbs fire in the neighborhood referred to by locals as 'old fountaingrove' in Santa Rosa, Ca. on ... more Photo: Alex Washburn, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 73 of 80 Burned out and collapsed house along Mt Veeder Rd after flames from the Nuns fire moved through the Mt Veeder area in Napa, California, USA 11 Oct 2017. Burned out and collapsed house along Mt Veeder Rd after flames from the Nuns fire moved through the Mt Veeder area in Napa, California, USA 11 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
 Image 74 of 80 Fire fighters clear a downed tree from across Mt Veeder Rd after flames from the Nuns fire moved through the Mt Veeder area in Napa, California, USA 11 Oct 2017. Fire fighters clear a downed tree from across Mt Veeder Rd after flames from the Nuns fire moved through the Mt Veeder area in Napa, California, USA 11 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 
 
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 Image 76 of 80 Workers move historic items from the Sonoma Barracks Oct. 11, 2017 in downtown Sonoma, Calif. California State Parks decided to move the items from the Barracks and Mission San Francisco Solano as a precautionary measure as fires burned beyond the town. less Workers move historic items from the Sonoma Barracks Oct. 11, 2017 in downtown Sonoma, Calif. California State Parks decided to move the items from the Barracks and Mission San Francisco Solano as a ... more Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 77 of 80 A primary school classroom at St. Rose School is seen with damages caused by the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. A primary school classroom at St. Rose School is seen with damages caused by the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Photo: Alex Washburn, The Chronicle 
 
 Image 78 of 80 Buy photo A firefighter works to control a fire near a bulldozer line created behind homes along Bennett Valley Road as he and other firefighters monitor it 's progress on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, Calif. less A firefighter works to control a fire near a bulldozer line created behind homes along Bennett Valley Road as he and other firefighters monitor it 's progress on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, ... more Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Buy this photo 
 
 Image 79 of 80 Fire fighting incident commanders plan for changing weather conditions along Mt Veeder road as flames from the Nuns fire continue to burn in the Mt Veeder area in Napa, California, USA 11 Oct 2017. Fire fighting incident commanders plan for changing weather conditions along Mt Veeder road as flames from the Nuns fire continue to burn in the Mt Veeder area in Napa, California, USA 11 Oct 2017. Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle 

 (CNN) In some areas in Sonoma County, the wildfires that have ravaged tens of thousands of acres died down enough Wednesday for the sheriff's department to check on more than 600 missing persons reports by visiting burned-out neighborhoods. 
 
 In many other cases, detectives used telephones to track down people who are unaccounted for. 
 
 Still, 285 people remain missing in just this one county, people who authorities pray are still alive but have no way to contact police or their loved ones. 
 
 But there is some dread that the death toll -- 23 in the region -- from the Northern California wildfires will rise as more areas cool down and searchers discover what's left. 
 
 "I'm optimistic that we will get a lot of people connected," Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano said. "At the same time we have to be realistic and start searching for the ones we found are missing." 
 
 Firefighters battling 22 blazes were challenged Wednesday by blustery conditions and shifting winds. 
 
 Gusts had died down early this week, but on Wednesday they blew between 20 and 40 mph and conditions were still extremely dry, with low humidity and no rain. Thursday's forecast is for similar conditions. 
 
 More than 20,000 people had been ordered to evacuate as of Wednesday, and authorities were encouraging others to pack "ready-to-go bags" with documents and medicines in case they had to flee the fast-spreading flames on a moment's notice. 
 
 Giordano had a suggestion for people who'd been advised to be prepared to leave: Go anyway. 
 
 "Traffic is bad in the county. If we have to evacuate people, it'd be better to have you (already) out of the area. If you have a place to go, go," he said. 
 
 "We are very concerned about all the fire lines, because of the wind they're anticipating," he said. 
 
 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Aerial images showing parts of Sonoma and Napa County that have been hit by wildfires. Hide Caption 1 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Colby Clark, left, comforts her mother, Bonnie Trexler, after law enforcement escorted them to Trexler's home in Napa, California, to retrieve medicine and personal items on Wednesday, October 11. Trexler was one of the lucky few in her neighborhood whose home was spared. Deadly wildfires have been tearing through the state, destroying homes and businesses and prompting evacuation orders. Hide Caption 2 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Highway Patrol officers go door to door to ask Sonoma residents to evacuate their homes as a wildfire approaches on October 11. Hide Caption 3 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Homes are destroyed in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa on October 11. Hide Caption 4 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California The sign of a Firestone store malfunctions in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, October 10. Hide Caption 5 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Damaged winemaking vats and tanks stand in ashes and debris at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa. Hide Caption 6 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Smoke clouds the sun from wildfires burning in Santa Rosa and Napa Valley on October 10. Hide Caption 7 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Mary Caughey, center in blue, reacts after finding her wedding ring in the remains of her home in Kenwood on October 10. Hide Caption 8 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Puddles of melted metal trail away from a burned-out car near Napa on October 10. Hide Caption 9 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A TV cameraman inches closer to a burning building at a winery in Napa Valley on Monday, October 9. Hide Caption 10 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A firefighting plane helps battle a blaze just north of Tustin on October 9. Hide Caption 11 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A historic barn burns in Santa Rosa on October 9. Hide Caption 12 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California The Santa Rosa Hilton Hotel burns to the ground on October 9. Hide Caption 13 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Jim Stites watches as part of his neighborhood burns in Fountaingrove on October 9. Hide Caption 14 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Fire burns from an open gas valve near the pool area of a Santa Rosa trailer park on October 9. Hide Caption 15 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A man rushes to save his house as a wildfire moves through Glen Ellen on October 9. Hide Caption 16 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Kristine Pond searches what's left of her family's home in Santa Rosa on October 9. Hide Caption 17 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Police cars block State Route 241 as smoke rises above Orange on October 9. Hide Caption 18 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A firefighter douses flames in Santa Rosa on October 9. Hide Caption 19 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A woman moves horses in Orange as strong Santa Ana winds blow smoke from the Canyon 2 fire toward them on October 9. Hide Caption 20 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A firefighter douses flames at a home in Anaheim on October 9. Hide Caption 21 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Traffic backs up as people flee Orange on October 9. Hide Caption 22 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Santa Rosa residents sift through the remains of a burned home on October 9. Hide Caption 23 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California The remains of fire-damaged homes and cars smolder at a Santa Rosa trailer park on October 9. Hide Caption 24 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A tent structure built for the Safeway Open golf tournament burns in Napa on October 9. Hide Caption 25 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Fire consumes a barn in Glen Ellen on October 9. Hide Caption 26 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Smoke rises in the hills east of Napa on October 9. Hide Caption 27 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A man passes a burning house in Napa on October 9. Hide Caption 28 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California The remains of fire-damaged homes are seen in Glen Ellen on October 9. Hide Caption 29 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A wildfire burns behind the Sonoma Raceway on October 9. Hide Caption 30 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California A building burns in Napa on October 9. Hide Caption 31 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Flames overtake a building in the Napa wine region on October 9. Hide Caption 32 of 33 Photos: Wildfires blaze in California Two women hug as they watch houses burn in Santa Rosa on October 9. Hide Caption 33 of 33 
 
 Latest developments 
 
 • Wildfires have burned nearly 170,000 acres throughout the state. The largest fires were in Northern California's Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties, filling the picturesque landscape of the state's wine country with charred rubble and clouds of smoke. 
 
 • Of the 23 people who have died since Sunday night, 13 were killed in the Tubbs wildfire in Sonoma County, officials said. That makes the Tubbs fire, one of 22 blazes burning in the state, the fifth-deadliest fire in recorded California history, according to the Cal Fire website . 
 
 • The director of Cal Fire, Ken Pimlott, expects the number of homes and businesses that have been destroyed to rise significantly from 3,500. 
 
 • Officials said Wednesday that almost 8,000 firefighters are involved in trying to contain the blazes. The equipment being used includes 550 fire trucks -- at least 170 of which came from out of state -- 73 helicopters and more than 30 planes. 
 
 Scores missing 
 
 Derek Southard has been worried about his 71-year-old father, Daniel, since he heard Sunday that fires were blazing through Northern California. 
 
 Southard, 29, lives with his father in Santa Rosa, California, but he was at a wedding in Monterey on Sunday while his father was at home. 
 
 "I had been texting him that day at the wedding. I told him I'm call him that night. And then he never called me back," Southard told CNN in tears. "He texted me at midnight and asked if I was having fun at the wedding. I guess the fire came an hour or two after that." 
 
 When Derek Southard got back to Santa Rosa on Monday, the neighborhood was still closed off. He called the sheriff and asked him to go have a look. 
 
 "The sheriff said his house was burned to the ground and his car was melted in the driveway, but I've still got my fingers crossed that he made it out somehow," he wrote in a plea on Facebook on Tuesday. 
 
 Derek talked to his next-door neighbors, who told him that they barely got out. They said they didn't have time to knock on his dad's door. 
 
 Authorities believe communications issues are preventing many of the missing from checking in with relatives. 
 
 Among the dead were a couple who relatives said had known each other for nearly 90 years: Charles Rippey, 100, and his wife, Sara, 98. 
 
 They died shortly after the Atlas fire -- now one of the largest, at more than 42,000 acres -- began Sunday night, engulfing their home near the Silverado Country Club north of Napa, Napa County spokeswoman Kristi Jourdan said. 
 
 "This house was one of the first ones hit (in the subdivision)," their son Mike Rippey told CNN affiliate KPIX on Tuesday. 
 
 The couple met each other in grade school in Wisconsin and began a family together after Charles served in World War II, the son told KPIX. They relocated to California after living in the Midwest and on the East Coast, he said. 
 
 The son said he believed his father was trying to save his mother when the fire struck."From where they found his body, he was trying to get from his room to her room," he told KPIX. "He never made it. ... There is no way he would have left (without her)." 
 
 Elsewhere in the county, part of a veterans home in Yountville, near Napa, was evacuated Tuesday night over fears of approaching flames, but the fire changed directions, so the rest of the residents will stay put for now, Napa Mayor Jill Techel said. Only the most frail -- those in a nursing facility -- left the property in the initial evacuation, Techel said. 
 
 "We are set up with buses and everything we need to do if we get the call that a part of town or a part of Napa needs to be evacuated," Techel said. 
 
 Ash and rubble 
 
 The Tubbs fire reduced cars and homes into burnt piles of ash and rubble in parts of Santa Rosa, a city of about 175,000 roughly 50 miles northwest of San Francisco. 
 
 JUST WATCHED Wildfire victim: We had 5 minutes to escape Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Wildfire victim: We had 5 minutes to escape 01:23 
 
 That fire has burned 27,363 acres and destroyed at least 576 structures between Santa Rosa and the Calistoga area, Cal Fire said Wednesday. It is 10% contained. 
 
 A large part of Santa Rosa was evacuated. In the city's Coffey Park neighborhood, homes are in ruins -- the fire seemed to consume everything that wasn't steel, concrete or brick. At some properties, all that is recognizable are the remains of washers, dryers and water heaters. 

 The remains of burned bottles of wine are seen at the Signorello Estate winery Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif. Worried California vintners surveyed the damage to their vineyards and wineries Tuesday... (Associated Press) 
 
 The remains of burned bottles of wine are seen at the Signorello Estate winery Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif. Worried California vintners surveyed the damage to their vineyards and wineries Tuesday after wildfires swept through several counties whose famous names have become synonymous with... (Associated Press) 
 
 NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Metal racks sagging with dozens of blackened bottles were among the smoldering remains of a Napa Valley winery destroyed by wildfires that raced through a region famous for its fine food and drink. 
 
 The bottles were empty, sucked dry of wine. Some wine barrels were intact, as well as a swimming pool and chairs, but otherwise, the Signorello Estate winery structure was gone. 
 
 Throughout Northern California's wine country, vintners able to get to property surveyed the damage to vineyards, tasting rooms and storage while others had to wait patiently for flames to die down. 
 
 At the Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma County, workers were not sure the grapes above the winery survived a second night of fires that have destroyed at least two wineries and damaged more. 
 
 "We haven't been able to go up and assess the vine damage," said Katie Bundschu, vice president of sales. "We're in the process of salvaging what we can." 
 
 Speedy, wind-driven wildfires that started Sunday came as workers in Napa and Sonoma counties were picking and processing ripe grapes to make chardonnay, merlot and other wines that have made the region a global hot spot. Millions of locals and out-of-staters flock to the counties every year to sample wine, sit in mud baths and soak in the region's natural beauty. 
 
 At least five wineries belonging to members have had "complete losses" in facilities, with another nine reporting some damage, said Michael Honig, board chairman of the Napa Valley Vintners trade association and president of Honig Vineyard & Winery. He said the group has not heard from all members, especially those in the most vulnerable parts of the valley. 
 
 "That's been the biggest problem — the information — you can't access these areas," he said. "We don't have a good idea of how the vineyards have been impacted." 
 
 He said the good news is that most of the valley had picked 90 percent of the crop for 2017. Most of the remaining fruit, he said, are thicker-skinned cabernet sauvignon grapes that won't be affected by smoke. 
 
 Bundschu, a sixth-generation vintner, recounted a scary Monday night in which the flames licked at the perimeter of the winery but were beaten back by firefighters. A century-old redwood barn and her grandmother's 1919 home were spared. Gundlach Bundschu is the oldest family-run winery in California, started in 1858. 
 
 She was eager to dispel reports that the winery had been destroyed, as was Nicholson Ranch winery, also in Sonoma County, which posted on Facebook that news of its demise was premature. 
 
 "The winery was in the path of the fire but escaped being engulfed by the flames. We have some damage to fix. The wine is secure in our cellars. We are cleaning up and hoping to have the power back on this week," it said. 
 
 Even wineries that were destroyed may survive, including the Signorello Estate winery. The winery building was gone, but its vineyard looked untouched by flames. 
 
 Spokeswoman Charlotte Milan said she could only confirm damage to the winery and a residence, explaining that workers had not gone on site. She said the estate's 2015 reds and 2016 whites were stored off-site. 
 
 Tourism officials say that wine country is open for business. 
 
 Sara Brooks, chairwoman of the Visit Napa Valley Board of Directors and general manager of the historic Napa River Inn, said she has had some cancellations, but expects tourism to bounce back as it did after the 2014 Napa earthquake. 
 
 Honig said the next few days might not be the best time to sample wines, but he wants people to visit in a week or two. He is convinced the Napa brand will survive. 
 
 "We've suffered with pests, fires, drought," he said. "We made it through Prohibition. This is a short-term setback." 
 
 ___ 
 
 Har reported from San Francisco. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Follow the AP's complete wildfire coverage here: —https://apnews.com/tag/Wildfires 

 Residents reckon with rising death toll and catastrophic devastation, as one of state’s deadliest wildfires burns through wine country north of San Francisco 
 
 California fires: chaos as blaze rages out of control with more than 100 missing 
 
 Northern California wildfires continued to blaze mostly unabated on Tuesday as local residents reckoned with a growing death toll, catastrophic losses and their fears for those still missing. 
 
 As of Tuesday night at least 17 people had died in 17 major fires across California, according to Cal Fire, the agency responsible for fire protection, as the state notched one of the deadliest fire days in its history. More than 2,000 structures have been destroyed, and the Sonoma County sheriff has received 240 missing-person reports, though 57 people have since been located. 
 
 Play Video 0:13 Sheriff’s deputy drives through raging blaze in California – video 
 
 “She was frantic, she was exhausted,” Amy Lynn Caplan said of her friend Linda, a woman in her mid-50s who was evacuating her retirement facility in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, on Monday. Caplan said that Linda, whose surname she did not want to provide, seemed disoriented and was having trouble navigating amid the confusion. 
 
 Wildfires cause destruction and chaos in California – in pictures Read more 
 
 “She’s not tech-savvy, she doesn’t know how to use Google Maps or anything like that, and the battery on her cellphone died.” That was the last Caplan heard of her. 
 
 About 20,000 people have been evacuated, and Vice-President Mike Pence announced on Tuesday that Donald Trump had approved a major disaster declaration, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to mobilize additional equipment and resources. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fires. 
 
 The largest conflagration is in California’s wine country, about 50 miles north of San Francisco. Fires there are at 0% containment, which means that firefighters have not cleared vegetation from the fire’s perimeter. 
 
 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Smoke covers the sun as a wildfire from the Santa Rosa and Napa Valley moves through the area on 10 October. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images 
 
 Efforts to locate the missing are hamstrung because the fire has affected cellphone and internet connectivity. “We want people to know we are in their shoes,” said Amy Head, the fire captain spokeswoman for Cal Fire. “We’re having just as many issues as they are as far as getting hold of people, being able to communicate.” 
 
 In the town of Santa Rosa on Tuesday, an acrid yellow cloud lay over the city. Charred palm trees loomed over the highway, where wooden medians continued to burn and smoke. And in hushed subdivisions in the northern suburbs, the devastation was absolute. 
 
 These blocks once boasted single family homes with front yards, back yards, and side yards – “room to breathe”, said Lindsay Mueller, who moved into her childhood home here with her two sons a few years ago. On Tuesday, all that remained were mounds of smoking ash, a few brick chimneys, scorched trees and burnt-out cars. 
 
 “That’s my bed frame,” Mueller said, pointing to a twisted pile of metal half buried in rubble. The bookkeeper had been at the home when the fire came in the middle of the night. 
 
 “There were no sirens, no warning,” Mueller said. The family escaped with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. 
 
 They were the only people digging through the rubble on Tuesday afternoon, finding here a doll’s head, there some shattered Christmas dishes. 
 
 Mueller’s father sifted through debris with the metal head of a shovel, the handle long gone in the fire. Asked whether they were looking for anything in particular, Mueller sighed. “Anything. Just anything.” 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa before and after the fire. Photograph: AP 
 
 She held a motley selection of salvaged items in one hand: a pink porcelain heart, a measuring cup, a piece of broken china. 
 
 The fires, which officials have described as “unprecedented”, were fanned by gusts of wind that reached speeds of 50-60mph on Sunday night. In California, “we see 20 to 30 new fires a day, it’s just that these winds really caused these fires to grow rapidly,” said Cal Fire spokeswoman Heather Williams. “Wind-driven fires are a normal occurrence,” she said, but these are “definitely out of the norm”. 
 
 It appears that some of the hardest hit were those for whom it was hardest to escape. 
 
 “It’s heartbreaking to think that many of the fallen represent our most vulnerable, in some cases senior citizens who simply were not able to escape the flames that overcame their homes,” said Pence. 
 
 Local reports said that Charles Rippey, 100, and his wife, Sara, 99, died in their Napa home after it was quickly overcome by flames. “The only thing worse would have been if one survived without the other,” their granddaughter told KTVU. 
 
 At the emergency shelter in Santa Rosa where she has spent the past two nights, a woman named Robin said had been asleep in her apartment around 1.30am on Monday morning when the smoke filled the air and the whines of her pets woke her up. Looking out the window, she saw flames just across the road, about 50 yards (45m) away. 
 
 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest The fast-moving wildfire in northern California has destroyed hundreds of structures. Photograph: Thosh/Zuma Wire/Rex/Shutterstock 
 
 “I just thought, ‘We’re out of here,’” said Robin, who declined to provide her last name because she is a survivor of domestic violence. “It was enough to freak anyone out.” Her pink backpack held few of her belongings – a spare bra, a miniature box of Frosted Flakes. 
 
 One man struggled to maintain his composure. Already going through a difficult divorce, he had just learned that his home had burned down. He wanted to speak to his therapist, but couldn’t get through. 
 
 Caplan, the woman whose friend is missing and who lives in the town of Pacifica, south of San Francisco, said she had decided for the time being not to call the emergency services to report her friend missing. “They’re overloaded.” All she can do is wait for her phone to ring. 

 An elderly Napa County couple found dead from the devastating wildfires sweeping Northern California "were happy right up until the last minute," one of their sons told ABC News. 
 
 Officials identified Charles and Sara Rippey as two of the 15 people killed from the 17 fires consuming over 115,000 acres across the state. 
 
 Charles Rippey, who turned 100 in July, had been married to Sara Rippey for 75 years, one of their sons, Mike Rippey, told ABC News. The couple met as children in Wisconsin. 
 
 Mike Rippey, the oldest of five siblings, said his mother "was paralyzed, she had a stroke about five years ago, and there was no way she was getting out of this fire." 
 
 Courtesy of Mike Rippey 
 
 "And my father was sleeping in a different room, and we found him halfway to her room. And so he never made it to her room," Mike Rippey said. "But even if he had made it, there was no way he was gonna leave her. So neither one of them was getting out." 
 
 His brother Chuck Rippey said he got a call about the house being engulfed in flames, so he drove over, reaching the house a few hours after the blaze. 
 
 "If they had gotten out, in their elderly state, somehow, they would have gotten grilled out here," Chuck Rippey said. "That's how bad it was. " 
 
 Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images 
 
 Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images 
 
 "Because of the high winds ... all the firefighters, I talked to a bunch of them, were trying to save lives. Trying to evacuate people. And it wasn't an easy job because there were several 8-foot in diameter trees that were across the road right here, so people couldn't come down, there was only one access," he said. "People just jumped in their ponds and stuff and waited for the helicopter ... that's the only refuge they could find." 
 
 Peter DaSilva/Polaris 
 
 "I would have thought getting in the pool," he said, but "all the tile is melted off the faces of the pool. There was no place to hide, there was no place to go, if you put your head above water, it would have been burned off. Just like a blow torch." 
 
 Mike Rippey said of his parents, "They lived a long life. It was a great life and they were happy right up until the last minute. 
 
 "And you just have to look at that and just, you know, be happy that that's what happened and they died together and they never wanted to leave each other," he added. "So it was almost impossible for any of us to visualize one of them dying first." 
 
 ABC News' Nick Watt, Alyssa Pone and Katherine Carroll contributed to this report. 

 "Let me first say our hearts and the hearts of every American go out to the families of the 13 who've lost their lives. It's heartbreaking to think that many of the fallen represent our most vulnerable; in some cases senior citizens who simply were not able to escape the flames that overcame their homes," he said. "They are in our prayers." 

 Live updates: 17 dead in Wine Country fires; Sonoma Valley area evacuated 
 
 Now Playing: Now Playing Resident Films His Neighborhood Burning in Santa Rosa Wildfire Storyful 
 
 Mendocino County couple makes terrifying escape through flames sfgate 
 
 Dispatch calls link PG&E; power lines to wild fires KTVU 
 
 Sonoma County deputy drives through Tubbs Fire KSBW 
 
 Helicopter footage of damage from Tubbs Fire sfgate 
 
 Old Fountaingrove neighborhood destroyed by Tubbs Fire sfgate 
 
 Family on Shallow Creek Dr. in Santa Rosa loses home sfgate 
 
 Son: Calif. Fire Victims Were Married 75 Years AP 
 
 Napa resident talks about evacuating due to fire sfgate 
 
 Paras Vineyards goes up in flames sfgate 
 
 Charisse Desmarais searches her remains of her mother's home sfgate 
 
 View of Tubbs Fire damage from SMART train sfgate 
 
 Aerial view of mobile home park, hotel destroyed in Tubbs Fire sfgate 
 
 Couple Drives Through Edge of Wildfire Devastating Yuba County Storyful 
 
 Wildfires ravage Santa Rosa sfgate 
 
 Atlas fire victims describe inferno in Napa county sfgate 
 
 Tubbs Fire devastates parts of Santa Rosa sfgate 
 
 Santa Rosa businesses burn in Tubbs Fire sfgate 
 
 Half of Santa Rosa neighborhood suffers fire damage, the other does not KTVU 
 
 A structure burns in Napa sfgate 
 
 Santa Rosa mobile home park destroyed by fire sfgate 
 
 Structures burning on Patrick Rd. sfgate 
 
 These are the latest developments in the North Bay fires up to 12:35 a.m. Wednesday; click here to see more recent updates from The Chronicle's newsroom: 
 
 12:35 a.m. Sonoma Valley evacuations: The Sonoma County Sheriff’s office ordered mandatory evacuations of the following areas: Moon Mountain Road, Mission Way, London Way, Martin Road, Cavedale Road, and Adobe Way. The office also is advising Agua Caliente residents along Hwy 12 between Agua Caliente Road and Madrone Road to pack bags and be ready in case evacuations there are ordered. 
 
 12:21 a.m. Tubbs Fire grows: The Tubbs Fire has grown to 28,000 acres and continues threatening 16,000 structures, according to CalFire. 
 
 10:40 p.m. Geyserville area evacuations: New evacuations were ordered in the Geyserville area, including all residences between 1922 Highway 28 and the Russian River, the Sonoma County sheriff’s office said. Downtown Geyserville residents are being told to prepare to evacuate in case an order is issued. 
 
 10:03 p.m. St. Helena warned: St. Helena city officials were encouraging residents to pack bags and get ready for possible evacuation after mandatory evacuations were ordered near Mt. Veeder, about 10 miles south of St. Helena, due to the Nuns Fire. St. Helena police, however, assured residents they are not under an evacuation order. 
 
 9:45 p.m. More Evacuations: Evacuations were conducted on Dry Creek Road in Napa County and the road is now closed from Orchard Ave to Oakville Grade. In addition, evacuations were conducted on Redwood Road, and Redwood Road at the intersection of Browns Valley Road is now closed, the Napa County Sheriff reported. 
 
 8:57 p.m. Fairfield-Suisun schools closed: Superintendent Kris Corey said that all schools in the Fairfield-Suisun School district will be closed Wednesday. Employees will not report to work and all district sites will be closed to the public. 
 
 8:42 p.m. Atlas Fire 3% Contained: CalFire says the Atlas Fire has burned 26,000 acres, destroyed 125 structures and is now 3% contained. Five thousand structures remain threatened. 
 
 8:16 p.m. Eleven Shelters Full: Sonoma County authorities said 11 emergency shelters were now full but 25 still had space available, including two shelters that were accepting large pets. For information, click here. 
 
 7:40 p.m. Structures threatened: The Tubbs Fire is threatening more than 16,000 structures — on top of the nearly 600 structures that have been destroyed in the blaze already, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 
 
 7:10 p.m. New death toll: Two more fatalities were confirmed by the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office Tuesday night — bringing the total in the Northern California fire deaths to 17. Five people died in the Larkfield area, just north of Santa Rosa while another six died in city limits, according to sheriff officials. 
 
 6:55 p.m. The scene from Bennett Valley: As evacuation orders extended to parts of Bennett Valley, southeast of Santa Rosa, some evacuees stopped at the nearby golf course to watch the unrelenting smoke barrel from Annadel Heights Tuesday afternoon. An intense ring of fire could be at the peak of the mountain top, with new flare ups visible further down the mountain every few minutes. 
 
 Sean Coleman watched the hills burn, worried about what would happen once the sun set and the winds got worse. 
 
 Coleman and his fiancé were evacuated from central Santa Rosa Monday, and came to Bennett Valley Hills Tuesday to help police evacuate people from their homes. 
 
 "The winds will determine everything," he said. 
 
 6:25 p.m. Solano County evacuations expand: Officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for Gordon Valley, Williams, Lambert, and Clayton roads in Solano County on Tuesday night. “The fire has jumped to Wooden Valley Road and is moving southeast,” read a statement released by the Fairfield Police. 
 
 6:20 p.m.: Clarification on evacuations: The Larkfield area just north of Santa Rosa was evacuated on Sunday and continues to remain closed, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. The area had been reported incorrectly earlier by officials as being a new area for evacuations. 
 
 6:00 p.m.: Emergency declaration declared in Solano: Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in Solano County because the Atlas Fire has damaged infrastructure and is threatening homes. 
 
 5:35 p.m. Santa Rosa danger: Fire is threatening the Annadel Heights area in eastern Santa Rosa. Residents in the area bordered on the north by Parktrail Drive and on the west by Summerfield Road should evacuate immediately, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says. 
 
 5:20 p.m. Miscommunication on evacuations: The Pacific Heights area just north of Santa Rosa is not under evacuation, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. The initial evacuation order was a “miscommunication,” they said in a statement. 
 
 4:55 p.m.: Solano County evacuations: Officials report that the the Atlas Fire has crested the ridge at Twin Sisters Road in Solano County on Tuesday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies are “going door-to-door on Twin Sisters Road, reverifying any remaining inhabitants and urging them to leave immediately.” 
 
 4:50 p.m.: More evacuations near Santa Rosa: Officials are evacuating an area called Pacific Heights just north of Santa Rosa. The latest evacuations are near where people were ordered to leave a short time ago near Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. 
 
 4:35 p.m. College closed: Sonoma State University has suspended classes for Wednesday because of the fires in the area. The school was closed both Monday and Tuesday. 
 
 4:30 p.m. Inmates fighting off blazes: More than 500 inmate firefighters are battling the wildfires in Northern California, officials said Tuesday. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reports that another 300 inmate firefighters are hitting the blazes in Southern California on Tuesday. 
 
 4:20 p.m.: Fires near Santa Rosa: A fire is burning south of Shiloh Ranch Regional Park just north of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County sheriff’s officials say. People in the area of Faught and Montebello roads are being evacuated. Separately, evacuations also are under way near the Bennett Valley Golf Course southeast of Santa Rosa. 
 
 4:03 p.m. Wildfires labeled ‘worst fire disaster in California history’ : Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, surveyed Northern California’s decimated fire region on Monday. He said at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Tuesday, “It’s devastating. I fully expect this will be the worst fire disaster in California history.” 
 
 3:52 p.m. First responders in Napa, Sonoma counties lose homes in wildfires: Mill Valley Fire Chief Tom Welch lost his home while working the wildfires, city officials said. In Sonoma County, at least 20 sheriff’s office employees lost their homes as well, authorities said. 
 
 3:30 p.m. School closures in Napa, Sonoma counties: All schools in the Napa Valley Unified School District will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, according to city officials. All schools in Sonoma Valley Unified School District will be closed for the rest of the week, district officials said. Classes at Sonoma State University have been suspended for Wednesday, while Santa Rosa Junior College will be closed through Sunday. 
 
 2:51 p.m. More than 180 people missing in Sonoma County: Fifty-seven out of 240 people reported missing in Sonoma County have been found, said Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano. Downed cell phone towers and more than 25 evacuation centers contributed to difficulties in finding loved ones, he said. Many people have been reported missing from nursing homes. A team of police officers will begin the mission to excavate bodies possibly buried in the charred rubble Tuesday evening, Giordano said. 
 
 2:30 p.m. Pelosi calls on Congress to provide aid: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, called the Trump administration’s major disaster declaration for the California fires an “appreciated first step” but said Tuesday afternoon that more was needed. “Speaker (Paul) Ryan and Republicans must work with Democrats to update federal relief estimates and adjust the supplemental disaster package so that we can make available all necessary resources for those devastated by these wildfires,” she said in a statement. 
 
 2:28 p.m. Nuns Fire racing toward Oakmont in Santa Rosa: The Santa Rosa Police Department sent out an urgent tweet warning Tuesday afternoon of a fast-moving wildfire encroaching on the Oakmont senior living community on three sides. The Police Department tweeted, “#NunsFire is rapidly approaching Oakmont. Oakmont is still under mandatory evacuation - all residents must leave now!” Oakmont has been under mandatory evacuation since Monday. 
 
 2 p.m. Sonoma Raceway opens to evacuees: The Sonoma Raceway is welcoming wildfire evacuees to its 50-acre campground, officials announced. The campground, across from the raceway on Highway 121, will have basic services for recreational vehicles, including water and sewage. For more information contact the Sonoma Raceway at (800) 870-7223 or email sonomaraceway@sonomaraceway.com. 
 
 1:15 p.m. Sonoma County warns of criminal action against price gougers and looters: People are being asked to call 911 to report suspected looting. Any vendor offering products and services with more than a 10 percent markup is breaking the law and should be reported to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. 
 
 “Please be advised that any looters who are apprehended will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” District Attorney Jill Ravitch said in a statement. 
 
 Santa Rosa has issued a curfew from 6:45 p.m. until 7:15 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation area. Breaking curfew is a misdemeanor, officials said. 
 
 1 p.m. Tens of thousands without power in Sonoma County: Pacific Gas and Electric Company is working to restore power to 50,260 customers impacted by the wildfires in Sonoma County. About 28,000 customers are without gas service in Santa Rosa, Windsor, Yountville, Napa, and Kenwood, according to Shirlee Zane, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. 
 
 12:18 p.m.: High-wind warning: The National Weather Service has issued a red-flag warning for Wednesday night and Thursday for hills in the North Bay and East Bay, predicting northeast winds of up to 30 mph and gusts of 45 mph. The warning starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the North Bay hills and 11 p.m. in the East Bay hills, and runs through 5 p.m. Thursday. High winds contributed to the explosive spread of fires throughout the North Bay on Sunday night and Monday. 
 
 12:08 p.m. Thousands remain in shelters in Napa and Sonoma counties: More than 3,000 people remain in shelters as 17 wildfires have burned through 115,000 acres across California. Wildfires statewide have left at least 2,000 structures destroyed, officials announced at a California Office of Emergency Services press conference. 
 
 12 p.m. Wildfire death toll reaches 15: Two more fatalities have been confirmed by Sonoma County sheriff’s officials , marking nine deaths in Sonoma County. Northern California fires have now killed 15 people, including two in Napa County, three in Mendocino County and one in Yuba County. More than 200 people had been reported missing in Sonoma County, and 45 of those people have been found, officials said. 
 
 11:45 a.m. Santa Rosa smolders: Along Highway 101 through Santa Rosa, visibility for drivers extended no more than 300 yards and traffic was stop and go in both directions Tuesday morning. 
 
 The sun was nearly blotted out by a sky filled with gray ash and smoke. Skeletons of trees, gutted buildings and burned-out cars lined roadways. Occasional flames burned on wooden structures holding up highway guardrails. Fields, lawns, a pizza joint and grocery store that were fully engulfed in flames Monday continued to smolder Tuesday. 
 
 Frustrated residents were trying to find any exit that wasn’t closed down to get off the highway and find a backroad home to survey the damage. Police weren’t letting them, for the most part. 
 
 11:17 a.m. Authorities seek suspicious person in small San Rafael vegetation fire: A man was seen running from the scene of a vegetation fire that broke out Tuesday morning in San Rafael, according to the city fire department. The fire burned less than an acre and was quickly contained. Fire officials ask that anyone with information on the man call 911. 
 
 11 a.m. Nearly half of downed cell sites restored: Seventy-seven cell sites were down from loss of power or fire damage, and 35 are running again, according to State Senator Mike McGuire. Tens of thousands of customers remain without cell phone service in the fire zones in Napa and Sonoma counties, he said. 
 
 10:25 a.m. Vice President Mike Pence pledges aid in the North Bay wildfires: “To California, we say though this declaration, we are with you, our prayers are with you and we will be with you every day until we put the fires out,” Pence said. 
 
 President Trump approved the major disaster declaration, which will give California additional federal resources and funding to fight fires up and down the state. Pence said legislation that will be considered in Congress next week includes $576 million for fire suppression. 
 
 10:12 a.m. Agencies protect homes from looting: The California National Guard is working to protect property in the wild fires. Mendocino County reported at least one looter was arrested in the fire area on Monday. 
 
 9:29 a.m. Mendocino death toll rises: The number of people killed in a wildfire in the Mendocino County town of Redwood Valley now stands at three. Cal Fire officials said the victims died when the Redwood Complex Fire tore through the town of 2,000 people Sunday night and Monday. Their names have not been released. Four more people suffered major burn injuries, and about two dozen others suffered lesser burn injuries, Cal Fire said. Roughly 50 homes were destroyed in the town, located 8 miles north of Ukiah on Highway 101. 
 
 9:17 a.m. Couple identified as Napa victims: Charles and Sarah Rippey were identified as victims from the wildfires in Napa, county sheriff John Robertson said. Charles was 100 years old and his wife was 98. 
 
 The couple died while trying to escape their home in the 100 block of Westgate Circle in Santa Rosa, Robertson said. 
 
 9 a.m. Small vegetation fire in San Rafael: A vegetation fire less than one acre large started off Professional Center Parkway. Firefighters stopped forward progress. No damage or injuries have been reported, according to fire officials. 
 
 8:45 a.m. Napa County cell service limited: With spotty service affecting thousands of cell phone users in Napa County, the sheriff’s department announced a website for people to go on and post they are safe. 
 
 With dozens of people still missing from the fires ravaging Napa and Sonoma counties, residents with cell reception problems are encouraged to log on to safeandwell.org and register their names. 
 
 8 a.m. Cascade Fire in Yuba County spreads: The deadly Cascade Fire has reached 11,500 acres, a growth of more than 3,000 acres overnight, officials said Tuesday. 
 
 It was 15 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. The blaze killed vehicle fleeing from the town of Loma Rica. 
 
 7:42 a.m. Dozens reported missing in Sonoma County: Roughly 150 people have been reported missing as a result of wild fires, said Sgt. Spencer Crum, a sheriff’s office spokesman. 
 
 7:32 a.m. Tubbs Fire grows: The Tubbs fire in Sonoma County is now at 27,000 acres, growing 2,000 acres overnight, according to Cal Fire. 
 
 7:01 a.m. Nuns fire spreads: Santa Rosa police announce the Nuns fire is moving to the southwest corner of Oakmont. 
 
 7 a.m. School closures stay in place: All schools in Napa and Sonoma counties remain closed Tuesday due to wildfires, district officials announced. 
 
 6 a.m. Death toll rises to 11: One person died early Monday morning trying to flee the Cascade Fire in Yuba County, county spokesman Russ Brown confirmed Tuesday. 
 
 The person, whose name was not immediately released, was in a vehicle fleeing from the town of Loma Rica, ran off a back-road and became trapped in the fire, Brown said. 
 
 Northern California fires have now killed 11 people, including seven in Sonoma County, two in Napa County and one in Mendocino County. 
 
 The Cascade fire is one of at least 15 blazes burning in Northern California. It has consumed 8,200 acres and was only 10 percent contained Tuesday morning. 
 
 5 a.m. Cooler temperatures, but fires rage: Cool overnight temperatures aided firefighters battling blazes in Napa and Sonoma counties, but the fires continued to rage out of control Tuesday morning. 
 
 High temperatures in the North Bay are forecast to be in the mid 70s to upper 70s, generally 5 to 10 degrees cooler than Monday, said Charles Bell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 
 
 At least eight fires were burning across Northern California Tuesday with little to no containment, officials said. The fires have killed at least 10 people, including seven in Sonoma County, two in Napa County and one in Mendocino County. 
 
 1:33 a.m. Santa Rosa water alert: Santa Rosa Fire Department officials are advising residents of the Fountaingrove neighborhood to boil their water to ensure it is safe to drink — if they have low or no water pressure. 
 
 Chronicle staff writers Kimberly Veklerov, Melody Gutierrez, Marissa Lang, Michael Cabanatuan, Steve Rubenstein and Annie Ma contributed to this report. 
 
 Click here for previous updates from the Wine Country fire coverage
– At least 17 people have been confirmed dead in the devastating wildfires raging in California —including a couple who died together after having been married for 75 years. Charles Rippey, 100, and Sara Rippey, 98, died Sunday night when a fast-moving wildfire engulfed their Napa County home. Mike Rippey, the oldest of their five children, tells ABC that his mother was paralyzed from a stroke years earlier and would never have made it out. He says his father died about halfway to her room but "even if he had made it, there was no way he was gonna leave her. So neither one of them was getting out." "They lived a long life," he says. "It was a great life and they were happy right up until the last minute." In other developments: President Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for the state, where at least 115,000 acres have burned, CNN reports. Forecasters say that with strong winds and no rain forecast this week, conditions will be extremely challenging for firefighters battling 17 large fires across California. State Rep. Mike Thompson said he believes the wine country blazes will be the "worst fire disaster in California history" after seeing the devastation in northern California on Tuesday, reports the San Francisco Chronicle, which has a list of the evacuation orders. Most of the fatalities were in Sonoma County, where large parts of the city of Santa Rosa burned. The death toll could rise sharply: The Los Angeles Times reports that sheriff's officials in the county have found only 45 of the 200 people reported missing since Sunday night. Fire officials say the "unprecedented" spread of the northern California fires was caused by wind gusts of up to 60mph Sunday night, the Guardian reports. "We see 20 to 30 new fires a day, it’s just that these winds really caused these fires to grow rapidly," says Cal Fire rep Heather Williams. Some first responders lost their own homes to fire while they were fighting the blazes and evacuating residents, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. They include Mill Valley Fire Chief Tom Welch, who lost his Santa Rosa home. Michael Honig, chairman of the Napa Valley Vintners trade association, tells the AP that at least five wineries have been destroyed and nine others damaged, and the group has yet to hear from wineries in some hard-hit areas. "That's been the biggest problem—the information—you can't access these areas," he says. "We don't have a good idea of how the vineyards have been impacted."