Northern California wildfires now threaten thousands of homes
Hundreds of buildings already lost to blazes - NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports
POPE VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY/NBC News) - Deadly wildfires in northern California's wine country now threaten tens of thousands of homes.
Before sunrise, the hills surrounding Napa Valley became a blow torch, again. The flames racing in multiple directions.
![](https://kyma.b-cdn.net/2020/09/norcal-fires-1.jpg)
The two fires now threaten twice as many structures - more than 24,000. Hundreds of homes are already lost, including Hayley's Christopher's.
"You don't believe it until you see it, and it's surreal." saysChristopher.
With roughly a dozen wineries damaged or destroyed, evacuation orders now include entire cities.
![](https://kyma.b-cdn.net/2020/09/Norcal-fires-2.jpg)
When Mike Christian returns home, there will be nothing left to save.
"It's a very sobering thing. What we thought was important is now ashes." says Christian.
As extreme wind and heat challenge exhausted crews, thick smoke is now grounding the air attack.
![](https://kyma.b-cdn.net/2020/09/norcal-fires-3.jpg)
"When flames tore through the area, little could be done to stop it. Multi-million dollar homes, and smaller properties, are a total loss. A few hours later, this home is still a threat. It's capable of sparking a new fire with it's embers." says NBC's Miguel Almaguer.
A now a region known for its beauty is marred by its destruction.
"It's hard to see it this way. It's beautiful here, but it's being stripped away one fire at a time." says fire victim Jeff Parady.