6 Months Later: Remembering Those Lost in the North Bay Fires
More than 8,000 structures across Northern California's wine country were wiped out by the fires, hundreds of thousands of acres were scorched and 44 people were killed
By NBC Bay Area Staff ••
Six months after wildfires in the North Bay killed 43 people and destroyed thousands of homes, those affected return to the area to reflect on what happened and still trying to overcome the many obstacles to rebuilding their homes and lives. Thom Jensen reports.
Six months ago Sunday, a wind-whipped firestorm ignited in Northern California. Over the course of the following weeks, flames from simultaneously-burning blazes stretched across multiple counties, leveling neighborhoods and leaving behind dozens of lives lost.
More than 8,000 structures across Northern California's wine country were wiped out by the fires, hundreds of thousands of acres were scorched and 44 people were killed as a result of the blazes.
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Robyn and Daniel Pellegrini search for belongings in the ashes of their home, which was destroyed by fire in the Coffey Park area of Santa Rosa, Calif., Oct. 10, 2017. An onslaught of wildfires across a wide swath of Northern California broke out almost simultaneously then grew exponentially, swallowing up properties from wineries to trailer parks and tearing through both tiny rural towns and urban subdivisions.
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 15: Ed Curzon and his daughter Margaret use sifting trays donated by the Boy Scouts of America to search through the remains of his home for items of emotional importance in the Coffey Park neighborhood on Oct. 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Ed, his wife Karen, and their pets escaped unscathed with few belongings, but lost their home of over 20 years. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 15: Margaret Curzon looks out at the destruction caused by the Tubbs fire while holding items of emotional importance salvaged from her childhood home in the Coffey Park neighborhood on October 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 15: California National Guard troops search burned homes near Mark West Springs Road and Old Redwood Highway on October 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 40 people are confirmed dead, dozens are still missing, and at least 5,700 buildings have been destroyed since wildfires broke out a week ago. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 15: Signs supporting first responders and EMS personnel are seen on a crosswalk over Highway 101 on Oct. 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 15: Signs supporting first responders and EMS personnel are seen on a crosswalk over Highway 101 on Oct. 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 15: A handmade sign is seen on the fence surrounding a makeshift campground for first responders at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Oct. 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 15: Volunteer forensic anthropologist Alexis Boutinn from Sonoma State University, investigates bones found by California National Guardsmen among fire-devastated homes near Mark West Springs Road and Old Redwood Highway on October 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. The bones are believed to be non-human. At least 40 people are confirmed dead, dozens are still missing, and at least 5,700 buildings have been destroyed since wildfires broke out a week ago. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 15: California National Guardsmen find bones at a fire-devastated home near Mark West Springs Road and Old Redwood Highway on October 15, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. After further investigation the bones were thought to be non-human. At least 40 people are confirmed dead, dozens are still missing, and at least 5,700 buildings have been destroyed since wildfires broke out a week ago. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 14: The ruins of houses destroyed by the Tubbs Fire are seen near Fountaingrove Parkway on October 14, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 40 people are confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. Officials expect the death toll to rise, and now estimate that 5,700 structures have been destroyed. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 14: The ruins of houses destroyed by the Tubbs Fire are seen near Fountaingrove Parkway on October 14, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 40 people are confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. Officials expect the death toll to rise, and now estimate that 5,700 structures have been destroyed. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 14: A flag is draped on a burned truck in the fire-devastated Coffey Park neighborhood on October 14, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 32 people are confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. Officials expect the death toll to rise, and now estimate that 5,700 structures have been destroyed. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 14: The ruins of houses destroyed by the Tubbs Fire are seen near Fountaingrove Parkway on October 14, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 40 people are confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. Officials expect the death toll to rise, and now estimate that 5,700 structures have been destroyed. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 13: Heather Tiffee (R) wipes her eyes as she looks through the remains of her parents' home after it was destroyed by the Atlas Fire on October 13, 2017 in Napa, 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)
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SONOMA, CA - OCTOBER 12: A sign thanking firefighters is posted on Highway 12 on October 12, 2017 in Sonoma, California. Twenty four people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,500 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SONOMA, CA - OCTOBER 13: A sign is posted outside Cline Cellars on October 13, 2017 in Sonoma, 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)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: An aerial view of homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: An aerial view of homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: An aerial view of homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: A view of hundreds of homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: An aerial view of mobile homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire at the Journey's End Mobile Home Park on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Charred wine barrells sit on racks at Paradise Ridge Winery after being destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 11: An aerial view of a sports field that was charred by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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NAPA, CA -OCTOBER 11: A construction site American flag hangs partly melted among houses in Soda Canyon that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on October 11, 2017 near Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 people were killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Homes are left completely destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on October 11, 2017 in Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 17 people have been killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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NAPA, CA -OCTOBER 11: People wait in vain to be escorted to pick up possessions from their home inside an evacuation zone on October 11, 2017 in Napa, California. Escorts were called for the rest of the day due to lack of available officers. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 people were killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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Aerial view on Oct. 11 of the fire devastation from the Napa fire that spread through Sonoma County, Calif.
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NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 11: A house that was destroyed by the Atlas Fire is seen in Soda Canyon on October 11, 2017 near Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 people have been killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Burn scars rest next to a North Bay winery's vineyards on Oct. 10, 2017.
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A sample of the damage caused by wildfires in the North Bay on Oct. 10, 2017.
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A view of the remains of a home that was destroyed by the Nuns Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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A toy car is left scorched in a neighborhood destroyed by fire near Cardinal Newman High School on Oct. 10, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Brad Turley and Charisse Desmarais look through the remnants of her mother's home in the Silverado Community, which was burned by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of the buildings at Stornetta Dairy that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of the buildings at Stornetta Dairy that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A man retrieves coins from the ruins of his house in a neighborhood destroyed by fire near Cardinal Newman High School on Oct. 10, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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A neighborhood is destroyed by fire in the area of Foxtail Court, on Oct. 10, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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People look for something to salvage in a neighborhood destroyed by fire in the area of Foxtail Court, on Oct. 10, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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The American Red Cross set up an evacuation center at the Crosswalk Community Church for people displaced by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A view of the remains of homes that were destroyed by the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A resident rushes to save his home as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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This LOVE sculpture was one of the few things left standing at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Michael Pond, left, looks through ashes as his wife Kristine, center, gets a hug from Zack Thurston, their daughter's boyfriend, while they search the remains of their home destroyed by fires in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.
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A man drives an all-terrain vehicle along a fire-ravaged Soda Canyon Rd., Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Kristine Pond reacts as she searches the remains of her family's home destroyed by fires in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.
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The entrance to the fire-ravaged Signorello Estate winery is seen Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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The charred remains of the Signorello Estate winery are seen Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Smoke billows from a neighborhood that was destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire on October 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Burned out cars sit next to a building on fire in a fire-ravaged neighborhood on Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Flames consume a section of the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country on Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Burned lawn chairs sit next to the swimming pool at the Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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The remains of fire-damaged homes and cars at the Journey's End Mobile Home Park on Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Burned out wine bottles sit on a rack at the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A Napa Valley public worker sprays water on a building as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Yountville, Califo.
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Burned out wine bottles sit on a rack at the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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A burned out home sits next to a vineyard after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Sonoma, Calif.
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Burned out wine bottles sit on a rack at the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Burned out wine bottles sit on a rack at the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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The remains of the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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The remains of the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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The remains of the fire-damaged Signarello Estate winery after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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The remains of fire damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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The remains of fire damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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Burned cars sit idle after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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The remains of fire-damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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The remains of fire-damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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An image of the Napa fire Oct. 9, 2017.
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The rubble and ash of a home on Sonterra Court in Santa Rosa on Otc. 9, 2017, after a wildfire swept through the area overnight.
Kevin Nious/NBC Bay Area
The rubble and ash of a home on Sonterra Court in Santa Rosa on Oct. 9, 2017, after a wildfire swept through the area overnight.
Kevin Nious/NBC Bay Area
The rubble and ash of a home on Sonterra Court in Santa Rosa on Oct. 9, 2017, after a wildfire swept through the area overnight.
Kevin Nious/NBC Bay Area
The rubble and ash of a home on Sonterra Court in Santa Rosa on Oct. 9, 2017, after a wildfire swept through the area overnight.
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The rubble and ash of a home on Sonterra Court in Santa Rosa on Oct. 9, 2017, after a wildfire swept through the area overnight.
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The rubble and ash of a home on Sonterra Court in Santa Rosa on Oct. 9, 2017, after a wildfire swept through the area overnight.
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The remains of fire damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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A burned out home sits next to a vineyard after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 201,7 in Sonoma, Calif.
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Smoke continues to rise from the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country on Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Smoke billows from a neighborhood that was destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire on Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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Fire consumes a home as an out-of-control wildfire move through the area on Oct. 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
The Tubbs Fire — labeled by Cal Fire as the most destructive wildfire in California history — ignited around 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 8. It would go on to burn 36,807 acres and destroy 5,636 structures across Napa and Sonoma Counties, according to Cal Fire.
The Nuns Fire, which also torched land across Napa and Sonoma counties, left 56,556 charred acres in its path, according to Cal Fire. It destroyed 1,355 structures and damaged 172.
Roughly six months since the North Bay fires ignited, state lawmakers are making sure folks are prepared in the event that another similar disaster were to strike. Pete Suratos reports.
Minutes before the Nuns Fire ignited, the Atlas Fire erupted near Atlas Peak Road south of Lake Berryessa. It would go on to torch 51,624 acres, destroy 120 structures and damage 783 more in Napa and Solano counties, according to Cal Fire.
In Sonoma County, the Pocket Fire, which started early in the morning on Oct. 9, scorched 17,357 acres, destroyed six structures and left two damaged, according to Cal Fire.
Footage captured by NBC Bay Area’s SkyRanger depicts the widespread devastation caused by wind-driven wildfires that quickly spread across the North Bay.
One Napa County couple who were surrounded by flames believes they were given a second chance at life. They survived and say it has changed their whole outlook on how they live their lives.
Linda Savoie and her husband Dr. Philip Dayan were determined to stay alive even though they knew the odds were against them.
"That’s all I could think about, is that one of us has to make it out of here tonight, so that our kids aren’t alone," Savoie said. "It was becoming very clear to us that no natter where we went, the fire was either near us or catching up to us."
The couple was rescued by a CHP helicopter crew that spotted their vehicle's headlights through the heavy flames and smoke.
A drone captured stunning video of the widespread damage in Santa Rosa, California, after a wildfire ripped through residential neighborhoods, shopping centers and commercial areas.
Six months later, the burn marks are still visible, a constant reminder of their daring escape from the massive fire that could have ended their lives. And a night that still haunts them.
"I can’t hear wind or smell smoke without everything coming back," Savoie said. "So, even though it's been six months, it’s still a little fresh."
The couple says the whole experience has changed their lives, forcing them to reprioritize what’s important. Like family.
"I look at my children and my wife differently," Dayan said. "In such a way that I realize I may never see them again. It’s very important that I do that. It’s just a part of who we are now."
This time lapse video shows the devastation left behind by the wildfires that tore through the Fountaingrove and Coffey Park neighborhoods.
The couple says they are extremely thankful to the first responders, people who they called strangers who risked their lives to save them.
The same CHP helicopter team was able to rescue 46 people in all. Dahan and Savoie said they will always owe the team a debt of gratitude.
Farther north, the Redwood Valley Fire in Mendocino County burned 36,523 acres, destroying 546 structures and damaging 44 more in the process, according to Cal Fire.
The much smaller — in terms of acreage — Sulphur Fire in Lake County burned 2,207 acres but still wiped out 162 structures and damaged eight others.
Deady wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties sent residents fleeing for their lives and reduced dozens of homes to smoldering ash. At least 1,500 total structures have been torched, and fire officials say that estimate is conservative. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
