It's been over four months since the firestorms swept through Napa and Sonoma Counties. Time for an update:

Cleanup of burned houses, businesses and other buildings continues at full pace. Crews moved into Glen Ellen in earnest during the last two weeks and debris removal is finally progressing at a good pace. They are still restoring utility lines in some areas, removing damaged trees along roads and deploying erosion prevention strategies. We have had precious little rain this winter, with virtually rainless months of December and February. Decent rain in November got the grasses and other meadow plants going, and there was enough rain in January to keep them growing. Long spells of dry weather have stunted growth, but it's still better than "gully washers" which would likely cause widespread erosion and mudslides.

The intermingled patches of areas that burned with those that didn't burn is evidence of how the fires spread that first night. Rather than the advancing wall of flame usually associated with wildland fires, these fires advanced via firebrands - flying embers. Apparently many house fires were started by embers blown into attic and subfloor vents. Hence we see houses that were destroyed when no nearby houses or vegetation burned, and houses that survived when neighbor's houses in all directions were razed.

Debris cleanup and decontamination is complete at a significant number of properties, and I've seen quite a few lots for sale (and NOT cheap), but I haven't seen a single house start construction yet. Planning and permitting are slow processes in ordinary times, and I imagine the backlog will be monumental soon if it isn't already.

Housing availability will be a major issue for years. The inventory of houses for sale is extremely low, and rental housing is just as scarce if not more so. There are many displaced homeowners and renters still living outside the area who are looking to return, and housing for construction workers will be hard to find as rebuilding ramps up to maximum pace.


I have seen quite a few vineyards that didn't harvest at all, but there hasn't been much talk lately of smoke affected wines. Visitors are returning to wine country, but not as many as before the fires yet. I haven't seen any stories about wineries filing for bankruptcy, but there can be no doubt that some are severely stressed economically. Restaurant and other business closings have increased, including many homeowner services such as landscape maintenance and housecleaning.


Both rebuilding and wildland regrowth will be long and slow. Daily reminders of the effects of the fires will be with us for years.