5 firefighters injured in Crystal Fire near St. Helena

ST. HELENA, Calif. - Several firefighters were injured while responding to a vegetation fire near St. Helena on Wednesday afternoon, fire officials said.

Cal Fire spokesperson Jason Clay said five firefighters were injured during the firefight. Three were transported to hospitals for further evaluation. Two were evaluated on site. 

Clay said their injuries were related to the steep and rocky terrain and heat of 101 degrees in the area. 

The fire erupted around 1:40 p.m. in the 250 block of Crystal Springs Road in Deer Park, about eight miles from St. Helena. The blaze, dubbed the Crystal Fire, grew to 60 acres with 50% containment, according to Cal Fire's LNU unit.

Aerial footage showed flames burning between brush and trees while Cal Fire air tankers performed retardant drops onto the fire.

Clay said structures in the area are threatened by the fire, but crews are working to increase containment around the blaze. Napa County issued evacuation warnings for some neighborhoods. 

Officials have not determined a cause of the fire, but temperatures in the area reached 101 degrees.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an advisory due to smoke impacts from the Crystal Fire and warned residents in Angwin, St. Helena, and Calistoga to follow guidance from local health officials.

People who lost power in the area have had their power restored. 

Cal Fire officials said resources will remain on hand overnight and potentially for the next few days.