Several forest fires broke out across Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday morning forcing the evacuation of Silverado Resort and Spa just hours after the completion of the PGA TOUR’s season-opening Safeway Open. Powerful winds fanned the potent flames, causing untold damage to homes and businesses in the area with thousands evacuated, including some TOUR players in the early hours of the morning. The National Weather Service said the blazes were fanned by dry, northeast winds that gusted up to 50 mph in the valleys and 70 mph on mountaintops. One of the many fires breaking out was near Atlas Peak Road – and it blackened hundreds of acres in a famed wine-growing area northeast of the city of Napa and the Silverado Trail. With the flames approaching the golf course and resort, guests were swiftly evacuated. A handful of TOUR players caught up in the blaze tweeted about their experience. Kyle Thompson confirmed he fled in a rush, with no time to gather up belongings, calling the fire “really scary stuffâ€�. “The whole ridge line above the course was on fire with winds pushing toward course,â€� Thompson tweeted. “We got out of there without packing a single thing.â€� “I’ve never run from a wild fire before,â€� Patton Kizzire said. Stanford graduate Maverick McNealy – who had played the Safeway Open as his first professional start – praised emergency services for their role in the evacuation. “Woken up by @Napa_City_Fire and evacuated tonight. First responders and emergency personnel are amazing. #napafireâ€�, he tweeted. Authorities are still trying to contain fires all over the area as the damage continues to mount.Â
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