Windsor California Wildfires

As reported by CTV News, a devastating wildfire swept through a Los Angeles hillside on Tuesday, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, while strong Santa Ana winds threatened to exacerbate the situation in Southern California.

The Pacific Palisades wildfire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, rapidly engulfed the affluent Los Angeles neighborhood, forcing over 30,000 residents to evacuate12. The blaze, fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, quickly consumed approximately 2,900 acres, destroying numerous homes and structures in its path23. Celebrities and locals alike faced harrowing escapes, with roads becoming congested and some residents abandoning their vehicles to flee on foot1. The fire’s devastation was captured in viral aerial footage, showcasing the scale of the inferno as it ravaged the hillsides42.

• At least 1,000 structures were destroyed, including homes of celebrities like Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag3
• The Los Angeles Fire Department described it as a “near worst-case scenario” due to the wind conditions2
• Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, emphasizing the fire’s potential for further destruction2
• Residents shared dramatic accounts of their escapes, with some watching their homes burn via security cameras5

A look back at how the fires will affect wildlife at Safari West

The Tubbs Fire of October 2017 threatened Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve in Santa Rosa, California, home to over 1,000 animal species.12

As flames approached, 76-year-old owner Peter Lang chose to stay and protect the animals while staff and guests evacuated.

For 10 hours, Lang fought spot fires with garden hoses, moved flammable materials, and guided animals to safer areas.31

The fire damaged fences, vehicles, and some structures, but Lang’s actions ensured the safety of every animal.12

Safari West reopened on November 20, 2017, with the animals remaining unaffected by the incident.42

Unfortunately, the fire destroyed Lang’s nearby family home and other personal belongings.3

Safari West’s survival during the Tubbs Fire, which burned over 36,000 acres and thousands of structures, reflects Lang’s dedication and swift action.1

Destruction of Coffey Park Homes

The Tubbs Fire devastated the Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa, California, destroying over 1,200 homes in a matter of hours12. Despite being a planned suburban development with city streets and sidewalks, Coffey Park proved defenseless against the rapidly advancing wildfire that leaped over the six-lane Highway 10123. The destruction surprised many residents who believed their location in the middle of Santa Rosa made them safe from such risks2.Key points about the Coffey Park destruction:

• The neighborhood was outside the officially mapped “very severe” hazard zone, exempting it from stricter fire-resistant building regulations2.
• Most damage likely resulted from house-to-house fire spread and wind-driven embers, rather than direct wildland fire contact23.
• The devastation highlighted flaws in California’s fire risk assessment and mitigation strategies2.
• Five years after the fire, about 1,000 homes were under construction, and around 250 had been rebuilt4.
• The rebuilding process brought the community closer together, with residents sharing resources and supporting each other through the recovery5.

Evacuations in Santa Rosa Area

During the 2017 Tubbs Fire, evacuations in Santa Rosa happened rapidly, forcing tens of thousands to leave with minimal notice.1

On October 8, at 11:58 pm, firefighters issued an evacuation order covering the area between Calistoga and Santa Rosa.

By 1:30 am on October 9, Sonoma County officials began evacuating neighborhoods around Santa Rosa, prioritizing residents’ safety.

Officials notified residents using location-based SMS, email alerts, and a reverse 911 system for faster communication.

Two medical centers, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, completed evacuations by noon on October 9 to protect patients.2

On October 11, the entire town of Calistoga, home to about 2,000 people, evacuated due to the advancing fire.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department now stresses preparedness, urging residents to know evacuation zones and create a pre-evacuation checklist.

The city developed a Fire Incident Map and Zone Lookup Tool, helping residents quickly check their evacuation status during emergencies.3