Wildfires decimate California’s wine country
At least 10 people have died and 1,500 businesses and homes destroyed by raging wildfires in Northern California wine country.
About 20,000 people have been evacuated from in and around Napa valley and Sonoma, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott told the AP.
Fox News reports there could be as many as 100 more people reported missing.
Cal Fire spokesman Dave Shew believes several Napa wineries may be destroyed after as many as 14 different fires raged on Monday.
The Hilton Sonoma hotel was among those severely damaged in the fast moving fire, which was whipped up by strong winds.
Hilton confirmed this with a Facebook post on Monday: "Please be advised our hotel is currently closed due to the wild fires in Santa Rosa. All guests and associates were safely evacuated."
Signorello Estate Winery and Paradise Ridge Winery were also destroyed.
"These wildfires are burning everything in their paths. There is significant structure loss, not only to homes but also to commercial structures," said Cal Fire’s Dan Berlant.
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday issued a state of emergency for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties.
The area has about 600 wineries and attracts millions of visitors a year.
It is busy tourist season as grapes are still being harvested and the area generates billions from tourism each year.
"We are all in shock and trying to help our fellow growers and neighbors where we can," said Heidi Soldinger, a spokeswoman for Napa Valley Grapegrowers.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season