Firefighters save 4 buildings, stop wildfires in St. Helena

ST. HELENA, CA — A coordinated ground and air attack helped extinguish a wildfire raging near several homes in St. Helena Friday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.

The agency shared images of two wildfires burning off Silverado Trail, including one near Conn Creek Road and another along Zinfandel Lane. Authorities estimated the first fire was about a half-acre in size and said the second burned nearly an acre in the oak-grass forest as flames moved uphill.

According to Cal Fire, ground and aerial crews were able to stop the advance of both fires just minutes before 1 p.m. Officials said the Silverado Fire was contained to 0.7 acres and no buildings were damaged or destroyed. Crews working the Conn Fire saved four structures in the immediate path of the fire and contained it to one acre.

Authorities said the fires were a stark reminder of the ongoing risk as very hot and dry weather persists into next week. An excessive heat warning remains in effect through Wednesday.

“As we navigate this extreme heat wave, we are seeing extremely dry fuels that are susceptible to igniting and spreading rapidly in a wildfire,” Cal Fire said Friday. “Please avoid any activities that could cause a wildfire.”