Firefighters Injured, Containment Grows On Crystal Fire In Napa County

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Four firefighters were injured battling the Crystal Fire that broke out Wednesday near the Napa County community of Deer Park, threatening homes.

Containment grew to 75 percent overnight on the 60-acre wildfire thanks to firefighters, 20 engines and four water tenders who remained at the scene.

Cal Fire law enforcement also remained at the scene, investigating the cause.

The injured firefighters were taken to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment of injuries related to the steep, rocky terrain and hot summer conditions. They have since been released from the hospital and were expected to make full recoveries, Cal Fire said in a Thursday morning update.

The wildfire destroyed one outbuilding but firefighters spared all residential structures from any damage or destruction.

Firefighters from throughout Napa and Sonoma counties responded to help Cal Fire LNU, Napa County Fire and St. Helena Fire battle the blaze that broke out around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of Crystal Springs Road in an unincorporated area of St. Helena.

More than 125 fire personnel from Napa and Sonoma counties battled the blaze, with significant air and ground resources also committed. Airtanker crews worked the left flank and a helicopter crew worked the right flank as the wildfire burned toward Bell Canyon Reservoir, Cal Fire LNU said.

Around 5 p.m., crews began to gain the upper hand and Cal Fire announced forward progress was stopped.

There were no mandatory evacuations but some residents were under evacuation warnings. Napa County announced at 6:22 p.m. Wednesday that all warnings were lifted.

Crystal Springs Road was partially shut down earlier Wednesday afternoon. Authorities told the public to avoid the area to allow access to emergency vehicles.

A power outage Wednesday afternoon impacted 1,433 customers in the Deer Park and Pope Valley area, according to PG&E's outage website. Power went out at 2:16 p.m. and was restored by 8 p.m.

Some 4 miles south of the Crystal Fire, firefighters battled a separate structure fire Wednesday morning on Oak Avenue in St. Helena and remained on scene for several hours in clean-up mode.