Several Wineries, Tasting Rooms Hotels & Businesses Are Closed
With three separate wildfires racing through the area, Napa Valley tourism is advising travelers – and wine lovers – to stay away from the area while firefighters battle the blazes and officials and business owners try and save their properties.
“We invite you to confirm your reservations directly and stay tuned to local reports for updates on fire, traffic and road conditions,” Visit Napa Valley posted on its website. “Due to road passage difficulty and poor air quality, please consider making alternate travel plans until the fires in Napa Valley have been contained.”
As of Monday evening, more than 1,500 structures had been destroyed by the fire, including some winery buildings. There are 10 people reported dead and others have been evacuated for their own safety.
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties.
The speed of the fires has been a major problem. Some roads are not safe to travel on for tourists and officials need them anyway for rescue workers and firefighters.
In and around Napa, a total of 20 wineries and tasting rooms have closed, along with 15 businesses – including wine tours – and half a dozen hotels. PubClub.com has a rundown of all affected businesses, those that are closed and ones that remain open for the moment.
One of the worst-hit areas is south of Napa and just south of Sonama Valley, in the “Charlie Brown” town of Santa Rosa. The so-called Tubbs Fire has destroyed part of the town.
The Napa Valley wine industry will be affected as not only were buildings destroyed but also vineyards. How much and by to what degree will not be known for several days, or perhaps even weeks.
Tourism is also going to be impacted for several weeks, if not months.
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