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CALISTOGA, Calif. (KTVU) - Red cross workers estimated as many as 1,000 evacuees came to seek aid and shelter at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga Monday, forced to flee from the Valley Fire that swiftly swept through parts of Lake County and destroyed at least 585 homes.
Since the fire broke out Saturday, evacuees have had to leave their homes, some of them fleeing just ahead of the flames.
"In less than five minutes we were surrounded by fire and the side and the back so we went and jumped in the cars," said Ana Negrete, who was at her parents' ranch in Middletown Saturday when the fire swept up to the house.
Her parents and sister Juana who also lives in the home on Grange Road rushed out to the car with just a few clothes and important papers. Like others, the family says they had to drive through flames to get out.
"Getting onto the road to get to the highway, it was all full of flames. So we had to just drive through it and risk everything," Negrete said.
Ana's sister Juana Negrete was still in shock.
"I was so scared. I thought I was going to die," said Juana Negrete of Middletown.
She not only lost her home, she was the only one in the household with a job. Now that's gone too. She was a housekeeper at the historic Harbin Hot Springs which had stood since the 1860's before being destroyed by this fire.
"Nine and a half years and now I don't have house, no job, no nothing," Juana Negrete said.
Dozens of other workers are also stunned and wondering what to do.
"I haven't been back there and I'm not sure that I want to see it. Honestly. I'm not sure," said Dietlinde Williams, pausing as her voice cracked with emotion. She says she'd lived and worked at Harbin for some 20 years.
Many people are unable to see what's left because of the danger still remaining. A team of local volunteers spontaneously organized a donation-sorting operation, adding to the Red Cross efforts. Evacuees are receiving meals, clothing and other supplies that are coming from donors throughout the Bay Area.
Like so many others, Williams is hoping that her employer Harbin Hot Springs will be able to return and rebuild.
"It 's a special place where people would from all over the world, to come to heal, to relax and become part of this very special community...so we will build it up again. I'm very, very hopeful," Williams said, mustering a smile.
Volunteers had one setback Monday when a sewage pipe backed up into one of the shelter buildings. Workers had to prepare food for hundreds of people using just one kitchen instead of two. The Red Cross staff said plumbers fixed the problem and they anticipated the shelter building will be back up and running Tuesday.