the areas all day today, abc7 news reporter cornell bernard joins us in middleton. >> reporter: the scope of the tragedy is very hard to comprehend. we're here on lincoln street. this is one block away from highway 29. destruction is all too clear. the neighborhood has been reduced to ashes. firefighters are battling flames just miles away. a new fire fight south of middletown, the valley fire reared it's head over a ridge. crews need rain, but got gusty winds instead. still, they're winning the fight here. >> we're trying to get containment here to give some assurance to the people of middleton this is taken care of. >> reporter: saturday, a fire

abc7 news reporter cornell bernard is live in middleton tonight. this disaster declaration will get people the help they need. >> yes. it's very good news. many people needing that federal aid tonight. many people needing shelter. this shelter here at the twin pines casino is filling up tonight. >> we're the first people here. >> wow. >> we came saturday. >> reporter: christine and her family, three dogs are packing up. they're getting ready to leave the place they've called home for 11 days. the napa county fair grounds close thursday. >> what are your plans for the future? >> just to hopefully go home to cobb. >> reporter: 200 folks are still here, but tents are coming down. many thinking about the next move. napa county is helping with the transition. >> just making sure everybody has access. the folks are going to need services for a long time.

cornell bernard, abc 7 news. >>> new doubts surfaced into the mexican government's investigation into the ki disappearance of 43 students. one of the missing students is from san jose. the students vanished while riding buses last september. the los angeles times reporting an international group found that police kidnapped and killed the students under orders from a drug cartel. that same report says the drug dealers were trying to reclaim heroin stashed in at least one bus and there is no evidence that a fire large and hot enough to burn 43 bodies took place as reported. >>> a santa clara county jail guard claims he never touched an inmate he's accused of killing. raphael rodriguez is facing murder charges in the keith of michael tyree. he says sheriffs investigators are relying on hearsay from inmates. rodriguez also accused detectives of making things up.

cornell bernard is live with details. >> reporter: they hope a $20,000 reward will be enough to catch a killer, and bring some justice to a family who so desperately needed it. >> she was a beautiful, peaceful young woman. >> reporter: a small memorial remembering a'tierra westbrook sits on benecia road. the balloons delated and flowers witnessed. her family is demanding answers. >> our family is in constant fear. we don't know why that it helped. >> reporter: this relative said it was time to speak out about the brutal murder which happen the morning of all 3rd. a'tierra was leaving for her job a at a richmond hospital where worked with her mom. >> she turned the engine on and someone walked up to the driver's side and began shooting into the car. >> young girl, too many bullets. it's not right. >> reporter: neighbors heard multibell gunshots, detectives have few clues bud shay was targeted by someone. witnesses could only describe a tall, thin man, wearing a gray hoodie, leaving the scene in a silver canadian. >> see didn't have a boyfriend that was mat her. >> the family offering a

cornell bernard begins coverage from middle town with a look at the destruction left behind. >> reporter: the wall of fire moved toward middle town like a freight train, unstoppable sending residents running for their lives. >> scariest thing i've ever been through in my life. ten minutes to pack up and leave. >> she escaped the home she's owned for 16 years, it was destroyed. her two sons lost their homes, as well and this was the home of a friend where she planned to take refuge but it also burned to the ground but everyone is safe. >> i grabbed a couple photo albums and you think you're going to be prepared and you're not. >> reporter: dozens of homes in middle town are gone. neighborhoods reduced to an erie moon scape. the total number of homes lost will be staggering. >> as far as an estimate of homes, we'll be pushing close to 1,000. >> firefighters were able to save many homes, jose martinez says his neighbors' places are gone, his still standing. >> i'm a lucky guy. i don't know why but my house still up. >> some bay area firefighters say this blaze, a haunting reminder of the 19

cornell bernard, abc 7 news. >>> a baby girl owes her life to a state game warden that drove through the flames of the valley fire. when the fire started, 11 month old jesse wood and her grandmother were trapped. her parents couldn't drive. a warden raced through the raging fire to rescue them later snapping this picture to show she was okay. >> i want to say thank you very much and if it wasn't for you, my family probably wouldn't have made it down in time. >> thank you. if it wasn't for him, i wouldn't have my daughter or my mom. huge thank you. >> well, their home burned to the ground but the woods say they are grateful forward warde little and they survived. >>> a wildfire is growing right now. it started around 3:00 this afternoon. this is video. the fire is 10% contained. authorities announced a mandatory evacuation for the parrot ranch area. at least 300 homes are in danger, and six have been destroyed. >>> the butte fire burning in gold county or country destroyed an additional 250 homes bringing the total residences destroyed to more than 500. the fire is burning and it is c

abc7 reporter cornell bernard spent the day talking with homeowners and he'll be live with lower lakeoming up at 5:00. >> officials say the valley fire started as a vegetation fire at 8040 high valley road. here's video at a house at that location in 2006 that we found on youtube. we haven't been able to find out what has happened to that house. we flew over that area and spotted the general location where the fire started. here's what it looked like. we couldn't locate the exact house but we did see a home that didn't appear damaged at all. >>> want to show you more of the video of damage we got from sky7-hd this is anderson springs outside of middletown where 72-year-old barbara mcwilliams lived she's the only known fatality of the fire. mcwilliams was a retired schoolteacher with multiple sclerosis she needed help to get around. authorities say the intense flames prevented them from reaching her home. here's a look at the town of middletown where 1,300 people live. buildings just across the street somehow went unscathed. >> the town of cobb was one of the hardest-hit communities on

>> cornell bernard is keeping an ear on the noise level. cornell, how is the show? >> hi, dan and natasha, it was pretty good. pretty quiet up here. the noise complaint hotline taking a dozen or so phone calls from different parts of the city, but nothing like the beyonce cot they say was too loud, but tonight folks were ready to rock. gloria granger was ready to rock with her trademark ac/dc horn. tell me why you are here. >> i love ac/dc. >> they packed in to see a group rocking since 1973. >> ♪ highway to hell >> bill morgan and his tail grate crew were blasting the signature song. >> they never changed. they are legit. they give you what you pay for. >> the medina family had a special song request. they traveled from miami in costumes channeling lead singer and his schoolboy look. when the concert started it was loud near mccovey cove registering 80 decibels. >> we have people out there with decibel readers so we can know how each street address level is being affected. >> the sounds of heavy metal were a bit muffled unlike concerts in the past. >> were there co

abc 7 news reporter cornell bernard has details. >> cops up the street. >> reporter: neighbors woke to a predawn raid by the fbi searching novato home of 29-year-old patrick harvey arrested for child porn. it was a federal investigation which snared 40-year-old corey allies who is charged with possession, production and distribution of child porn. >> it took a horrible person off the street. >> reporter: san francisco police internet crimes against children unit assisted and found more than 600 images of children at ellis' san francisco home. even images of small children in bondage. >> she was able to convince a family, a couple over in the uk and half of them to engage in child pornographic acts for her pleasure. and to send it to her. >> reporter: police in the uk placed those children in protective custody. she met patrick harvey and exchanged graphic child porn images. a shock to neighbors who say the family living here was quiet and polite. no one answered the door when we knocked. >> it's too close to me personally, but it's also too close to there is a school right up the stree

>> cornell bernard is keeping an ear on the noise level. cornell, how is the show?, dan and natasha, it was pretty good. pretty quiet up here. the noise complaint hotline taking a dozen or so phone calls from different parts of the city, but nothing like the beyonce concert they say was too loud, but tonight folks were ready to rock. gloria granger was ready to rock with her trademark ac/dc horn. tell me why you are here. >> i love ac/dc. >> they packed in to see a group rocking since 1973. >> ♪ highway to hell >> bill morgan and his tail grate crew were blasting the signature song. >> they never changed. they are legit. they give you what you pay for. >> the medina family had a special song request. they traveled from miami in costumes channeling lead singer and his schoolboy look. when the concert started it was loud near mccovey cove registering 80 decibels. >> we have people out there with decibel readers so we can know how each street address level is being affected. >> the sounds of heavy metal were a bit muffled unlike concerts in the past. >> were there comp

cornell bernard has the story.ain whistle] >> caltrain is back on track along the peninsula but friday's commute came to a screeching halt. sky 7hd was over burlingame where a northbound express train struck two unoccupied cars on the tracks. none of the 900 passengers were hurt, but no one could get off. >> honestly i thought there was a public health risk there. >> mark was on board. he said there was little communication from the engineer, and then the air conditioning went out. >> it very quickly became 100, 110, 120 degrees. people became profusely sweaty. there were elderly on the train i started to get concerned about. >> careful! >> cell phone video shows people escaping out of the emergency windows. those who stayed on board took to social media. mckenzie shared this help picture with us. using the hashtag abc7 now. others demanded answers from caltrain about what was going on. he tweeted how long will the delay be? it's hot in here. benny said i'm on the train that hit the car, it's hot on here. can someo

cornell bernard is live outside the sap center in san jose with more. cornell? >> reporter: huge crowd gathered outside the sap center tonight where the prime minister will speak to a crowd of 18,000. many are protesting his visit to california. others supporting it. modi met with governor brown in the past hour. the prime minister is showing silicon valley this weekend he is tech savvy and ready to do business. [chanting] >> reporter: there was a big crowd outside the google headquarters in mountain view. folks hoping to catch a glimpse of the prime minister. >> he is emerging as a famous world leader know and deserve it. he has done so much in india. >> modi is being wooed by silicon valley. his texture began with a town hall meeting at facebook with ceo mark zuckerberg. the prime minister told the crowd the loves social media. 30 million likes on facebook and 15 million twitter followers. >> translator: and i think i would say to leaders all over the world, that there is -- not going to gain by running away from social media. you must join it. >> reporter: in

cornell bernard has the story. >> caltrain is back on track along the peninsula, but friday's commute came to a screeching halt. sky 7hd was over burlingame where a northbound express train struck two unoccupied cars on the tracks. none of the 900 passengers were hurt, but no one could get off. >> honestly i thought there was a public health risk there. >> mark was on board. he said there was little communication from the engineer, and then the air conditioning went out. >> it very quickly became 100, 110, probably 120 degrees. people became profusely sweaty. there were elderly on the train i started to get concerned about. >> careful! >> cell phone video shows people escaping out of the emergency windows. those who stayed on board took to social media. mckenzie shared this help picture with us. using the #abc7 now. others demanded answers from caltrain about what was going on. he tweeted how long will the delay be? it's hot in here. benny said i'm on the train that hit the car, it's hot on here. can someone bring

abc 7 news reporter cornell bernard is live in foster city with the latest. >> reporter: we are at firetation 28 here in foster city where two strike teams left for the butte fire just minutes ago to join that massive fire fight. >> you guys know the situation that's going on with the fire, it's blowing up again. bunch of structures are going. >> reporter: two strike teams from san mateo county get wreefd minutes before heading out to the butte fire that is burning hot and fast through gold country. the battalion chief says the drought has created a danger zone and fire crews need help. >> i've been on the job for 28 years, i even worked for cal fire when i was a younger man, i have never seen conditions like this. i think you could probably ask a lot of folks in similar situations. they are just explosive. >> reporter: firefighters started loading engines saturday morning with gear they will need for a week or longer, including emergency shelters if the fire overtakes them. >> so they will pull this out, rip this cord and then deploy. >> reporter: the butte fire claimed this truck from

the shelter will be open until further notice. >> in middletown, cornell bernard, abc7 news. a baby girl owes her life to a state game warden who drove through the flames of the valley fire. when the fire started 8 days ago 11-month-old jesse and her grandmother were trapped in the mountains. he raced through to rescue them and snapping this picture to show the baby was okay. >> i want to say thank you very much, and if it wasn't for you, my family probably wouldn't have made it down in time. >> thank you. if it wasn't for him, i wouldn't have my daughter or my mom. a huge thank you. >> yeah, their home burned to the ground. but the woods say they are just grateful for warden little and that they are all survived. >> and in heelsburg a fundraiser will be held at the hoot owl creek vineyard. the goal is to raise $100,000. the vineyards are among the many that will be making contributions. and following up on a story we brought you yesterday. the sonoma county youth football squad and their cheer group will deliver toys to the kids at the moose lodge evacuation center. teen mem

shelter will be open until further notice. >> in middletown, cornell bernard, abc7 news. a baby girl owes her life to a state game warden who drove through the flames of the valley fire. when the fire started 8 days ago 11--month-old jesse and her grandparents were dropped in the mountains. he raced through to rescue them and snapping this picture to show the baby was okay. >> i want to say thank you very much, and if it wasn't for you, my family probably wouldn't have made it down in time. >> thank you. if it wasn't for him, i wouldn't have my daughter or my mom. a huge thank you. >> yeah, their home burned to the ground. but the woods say they are thank full for mr. little and they all survived. >> and in heelsburg a fundraiser will be held at the hoot owl vineyard. the goal is to raise $100,000. the vineyards are among the many that will be making contributions. and following up on a story we brought you yesterday. sonoma county youth football squad and their cheer group will differ toys to the kids at the moose lodge evacuation center. teen members held a toy drive be

cornell bernard is live outside the sap center in san jose with more. cornell? >> reporter: huge crowd gathered outside the sap center tonight where the prime minister will speak to a crowd of 18,000. many are protesting his visit to california. others supporting it. modi met with governor brown in the past hour. the prime minister is showing silicon valley this weekend he is tech savvy and ready to do business. [chanting] >> reporter: there was a big crowd outside the google headquarters in mountain view. folks hoping to catch a glimpse of the prime minister. >> he is emerging as a famous world leader know and deserve it. he has done so much in india. >> modi is being wooed by silicon valley. his texture began with a town hall meeting at facebook with ceo mark zuckerberg. the prime minister told the crowd the loves social media. 30 million likes on facebook and 15 million twitter followers. >> translator: and i think i would say to leaders all over the world, that there is -- not going to gain by running away from social media. you must join it. >> reporter: in

live in middletown, cornell bernard, abc 7 news. >> unbelievable for those folks.ank you. >>> residents were escorted to their homes in middle valley lake, loch lomond, cobb. they only had 15 minutes to see if their homes were still standing and to retrieve or feed animals. they are not allowed to get any personal items or even medication. >>> authorities are warning those who return home to be careful cleaning up the ash. they say triage is nontoxic, but, however, the ash from burned homes and other items can be toxic. sonoma county deputies say to wear a mask when cleaning, do not use leaf blowers as they push the ash in the air. use a hepa vacuum instead. if any ash gets on to your skin it's important to wash it off as soon as possible because wet ash can cause chemical burns. today workers began to clean out the soot and smoke that's damaged schools in middletown and that includes purifying the air, wiping down surfaces, specialized vacuuming and throwing out rotten food inside those frijs. just one school was severely damaged. located inappropriately ma valley

cornell bernard has the details. >> there were cops all the way up the street. >> he woke to a predawn raid by the fbi, searching the novato home of 25-year-old patrick harvey, arrested for possession of child born. sting was part of a federal investigation, which also snared 40-year-old kori nicole ellis, who is charged with possession, production and distribution of child born. >> it took a horrible person off the street. >> the international crimes against children unit assisted and found more than 600 images of children at ellis' san francisco home. even images of small children in bondage. >> and she was able to convince a family, a couple, over in the u.k. and half of them to engage in child pornographic acts for her pleasure. and to send it to her. >> police in the uk placed those children in protective custody. police say ellis met patrick harvey and exchanged graphic child born images. a shock to neighbors. they say the family was quiet and polite and no one answered the door when we knocked. >> it's too close to me personally, but its also close to -- there's a school right u

the shelter will be open until further notice. >> in middletown, cornell bernard, abc7 news. a baby girl owes her life to a state game warden who drove through the flames of the valley fire. when the fire started eight days ago 11-month-old jesse and her grandmother were trapped in the mountains. her parents weren't allowed to get them because of the intense flames. the warden raced through to rescue them and snapping this picture to show the baby was okay. >> i want to say thank you very much, and if it wasn't for you, my family probably wouldn't have made it down in time. >> thank you. if it wasn't for him, i wouldn't have my daughter or my mom. a huge thank you. >> their home burned to the ground. but the woods say they are just grateful for warden little and that they are all survived. >> and in heelsburg a fundraiser will be held at the hoot owl creek vineyard. it's in alexander valley. organizers are hoping to raise $500,000. napa businesses and vineyards are among the many that will be making contributions. and following up on a story we brought you yesterday. the sono

cornell bernard has the details. >> there were cops all the way up the street. >> he woke to a predawn raid by the fbi, searching the novato home of 29-year-old patrick harvey, arrested for possession of child porn. sting was part of a federal investigation, which also snared 40-year-old kori nicole ellis, who is charged with possession, production and distribution of child porn. >> it took a horrible person off the street. >> the international crimes against children unit assisted and found more than 600 images of children at ellis' san francisco home. even images of small children in bondage. >> and she was even able to convince a family, a couple, over in the u.k. and half of them to engage in child pornographic acts for her pleasure. and to send it to her. >> police in the u.k. placed those children in protective custody. police say ellis met patrick harvey and exchanged graphic child porn images. a shock to neighbors. they say the family was quiet and polite and no one answered the door when we knocked. >> it's too close to me personally, but its also close to -- there's a school

cornell bernard is live in healdsburg. >> reporter: it's remarkable how sonoma county is stepping up to show how generous they are. there's a barbecue happening and douglas is cook upping the same pulled pork sliders he makes for this restaurant. this time comp park is part of the recipe. >> think about going home and not having a home. >> reporter: he is getting his time along restaurant owners and wipemakers to win fit those who lost so much. >> my heart wives my families, and my home town. >> reporter: bonnie is volunteering her time days after her childhood home burn in the valley fire. she shared these pictures. >> it's crazy. i mean, you just don't think it's going to happen to where you live. >> reporter: kids are writing thank you carts to firefighters and support to those who survived. ian knows what she is going to say. >> so, i think we should help donate stuff. >> if you had a chance to be over there yet, looks like a bomb went off. >> reporter: the supervisor spearheaded the fundraising drive after seeing the devastation first hand. >> you can't turn away and be the pers

cornell bernard has new details. >> reporter: police have few leads in this homicide case but the family is not giving up. they know someone can help bring a killer to justice. >> a small memorial remembering a'tierra westbrook is on benecia road. her family is still demanding answers. >> our family is in constant fear. we adopt know why this happened. >> this relative did not want to give her name but said it was time to speak out about the brute intentional which happened the morning of august 3rd. she was leaving for her job at a richmond hospital where she worked with her mom, but she never made it. >> she got in the car, she apparently turned the enin on and someone walked up to the driver's side and began shooting into the car. >> solano county sheriff officials have few clues but say she was targeted by someone. witnesses describe a tall man wearing a gray hoodie leaving the scene in a silver sedan. >> she didn't have a boyfriend that was mad at her. >> the family now offering a $20,000 rye ward for information about the killing. they set up a facebook pain to get the word out. a'

cornell bernard is live in healdsburg with the story. >> reporter: i have to tell you, just an amazing show of support for foes e -- those folks who lost everything, people rebuilding their lives, and here in alexander valley, folks around here showed our generous they truly are today. several hundred people were at a fundraiser at hoot owl creek vineyard to assist those who lost everything in the valley fire, including bonny, whose childhood home burned. >> crazy, i mean, just don't think it's going to happen to where you live. >> just can't turn away from it and can't be the person that says, i hope something happens good. you have to take some kind of responsibility. >> reporter: these are pictures of bonny's parents' home which burned. she said they're safe, staying with family. her stepfather's house and cows reins place also burned. local wineries and restaurants pitching in time and services to help in the fundraiser. fundses raised will benefit lake county rising, assisting survivors and rebuilding efforts. it's an impressive number. today the fundraiser raised $700,000 for tho

cornell bernard is live. they make it seem like christmas eve for the apple fans. >> you got that right. no one creates a buzz like apple , dan, and they have done it again. we are hours away from apple's newest reveal. the security is very tight. the rumors are flying, but the tech insiders are making some predictions tonight. >> the anticipation is so big. there is a countdown clock. outside the auditorium there is a buzz. that's where apple's special event was happening. we saw people standing with their iphones and buses coming and going, but not a word about what is happening inside. >> i any chance we could get a few shots inside and see what was going on? the answer was no. but he expects to see a new iphone 6 and 6s plus rolled out. >> better camerases, better optics, longer battery life is always a key selling point. >> apple tv is no longer a pop be project -- hobby project. it is expected to have a slimmer design and touch base remote. >> this applen tuesday gist has his own youtube channel devoted

cornell bernard is live in healdsburg. >> reporter: it's remarkable how sonoma county is stepping up to show how generous they are. there's a barbecue happening and douglas is cook upping the same pulled pork sliders he makes for this restaurant. this time comp park is part of the recipe. >> think about going home and not having a home. >> reporter: he is getting his time along restaurant owners and wipemakers to win fit those who lost so much. >> my heart wives my families, and my home town. >> reporter: bonnie is volunteering her time days after her childhood home burn in the valley fire. she shared these pictures. >> it's crazy. i mean, you just don't think it's going to happen to where you live. >> reporter: kids are writing thank you carts to firefighters and support to those who survived. ian knows what she is going to say. >> so, i think we should help donate stuff. >> if you had a chance to be over there yet, looks like a bomb went off. >> reporter: the supervisor spearheaded the fundraising drive after seeing the devastation first hand. >> you can't turn away and be the pers

in vallejo, cornell bernard, abc7 news. >> new new del -- new cuts into the mexican government investigation into the missing studentings. one stunt is from san jose. the students vanished while riding buss last september. "the los angeles times" reports an international group found that police kit indianed and killed the students under order from a drug cartel. that same report says the drug dealers were trying to reclaim heroin stashed in at least one bus. and there's no evidence that a fire, large and hot enough to burn 43 bodies, took place as reported. >>> a jail guard claims he never touched an inmate he is accused of killing. raf real rod aggression is one of three guards casing murder charges in the death of michael tyree. he gave been interview and says sheriff's investigators are relying on hearsay from enmites and accused detectives of making things up. all three accused guards are in protective custody at the alameda county jail in dublin. >> grocery shoppers saw properties telling tom avoid whole foods. a small group held "black lives matter" signs. pictures surfaced showing a m

cornell bernard is live outside the sap center in san jose with more. cornell? >> reporte h

in calistoga, cornell bernard, abc7 news. >> courageous people. you can download the abc7 news app for the latest updates on the valley fire. just allow the push alerts to get the newest information. the app is available for smartphones and the apple watch. >>> breaking news on the san mateo bridge where a search is underway for a missing person under a bridge. this happened around 10:00. it was over an hour ago. the coast guard and the chp and san mateo fire department are involved in the search. two eastbound lanes are now blocked, but traffic is moving. we will follow the story, of course, and get breaking alerts anytime. follow us on twitter at abc7 news bay area. >> now to debate night in america. for more than three hours tonight the gop candidates for president sparred at the reagan presidential library in simi valley. they tell us about the moment between donald trump and the former hp-ceo. >> first of all carly fiorina shouldn't be on this stage. >> it was immediate. >> his visceral response to attack people on their appearance, short, ta

in calistoga, cornell bernard, abc7 news. >> courageous people. you can download the abc7 news app for the latest updates on the valley fire. just allow the push alerts to get the newest information. the app is available for smartphones and the apple watch. >>> breaking news on the san mateo bridge where a search is underway for a missing person under a bridge. this happened around 10:00. it was over an hour ago. the coast guard and the chp and san mateo fire department are involved in the search. two eastbound lanes are now blocked, but traffic is moving. we will follow the story, of course, and get breaking alerts anytime. follow us on twitter at abc7 news bay area. >> now to debate night in america. for more than three hours tonight the gop candidates for president sparred at the reagan presidential library in simi valley. they tell us about the moment between donald trump and the former hp-ceo. >> first of all carly fiorina shouldn't be on this stage. >> it was immediate. >> his visceral response to attack people on their appearance, short, ta

cornell bernard is live.stmas eve for the apple fans. >> you got that right. no one creates a buzz like apple , dan, and they have done it again. we are hours away from apple's newest reveal. the security is very tight. the rumors are flying, but the tech insiders are making some predictions tonight. >> the anticipation is so big. there is a countdown clock. outside the auditorium there is a buzz. that's where apple's special event was happening. we saw people standing with their iphones and buses coming and going, but not a word about what is happening inside. >> i any chance we could get a few shots inside and see what was going on? the answer was no. but he expects to see a new iphone 6 and 6s plus rolled out. >> better camerases, better optics, longer battery life is always a key selling point. >> apple tv is no longer a pop be project -- hobby project. it is expected to have a slimmer design and touch base remote. >> this applen tuesday gist has his own youtube channel devoted to new products. he expects

. >> let's get straight now to live team coverage, beginning with cornell bernard in middletown. >> reporter: the devastation near middletown is simply unbelievable. you would not recognize it. dozens of homes destroyed by the monster valley fire, which went through her last night, burning neighborhoods on both sides sidf highway 29. wore on jefferson street, where home after home is gone. cars, melted down to scrap. chimneys are the only things still standing. firefighters were able to save many homes in these neighborhoods, but it certainly wasn't easy. they say the wall of flames so ferocious, there simply wasn't time. we have been talking to folks who have sadly lost their homes, kimberly harper lost her hem, her two sons' homes also burned. >> awe know, i grabbed a few things. i grabbed a couple photo albums. you think you'll be prepared, and you're not. to grand the handle of clothes for or husband. we got our dog, couldn't get our cat because she ran and hid. and so-so photo albums and everything else is gone. my kids grabbed clothes. they lost everything they own. they're representer

cornell bernard is live in healdsburg. >> reporter: it's remarkable how sonoma county is stepping upshow how generous they are. there's a barbecue happening and douglas is cook upping the same pulled pork sliders he makes for this restaurant. this time comp park is part of the recipe. >> think about going home and not having a home. >> reporter: he is getting his time along restaurant owners and wipemakers to win fit those who lost so much. >> my heart wives my families, and my home town. >> reporter: bonnie is volunteering her time days after her childhood home burn in the valley fire. she

our crews have been throughout the areas all day today, abc7 news reporter cornell bernard joins us in middleton. >> reporter: the scope of the tragedy is very hard to comprehend. we're here on lincoln street. this is one block away from highway 29. destruction is all too clear. the neighborhood has been reduced to ashes. firefighters are battling flames just miles away. a new fire fight south of middletown, the valley fire reared it's head over a ridge. crews need rain, but got gusty winds instead. still, they're winning the fight here. >> we're trying to get containment here to give some assurance to the people of middleton this is taken care of. >> reporter: saturday, a fire storm destroyed dozens of homes and neighborhood destroyed to moon scapes. shirley just learned her home is gone. >> all i can do is just cry.fá i don't know. a lot of memories. >> reporter: it's the home they raised a family here, before living here, they owned the home across the street. it's gone, too. >> reporter: were you able to salvage anything here? >> no. no. we got stuff in the rv. so we'll be all righ

. >>> now let's go to cornell bernard, live in middletown. residents lost a lot of homes in. >> reporter: it's trulying extraering. so many homes are gone after this fire storm engulfed much of middletown. i'm standing in what used to be the driveway of a home here on -- as you can see -- the shells of appliances, barbecue, part of the -- the ferocious wall of fire moved like a freight train. i was unstoppable, sending residents running for the live. >> the scariest thing i've ever been through. ten minutes to pack up and leave. >> kimberly harper escaped the home she has owned for 16 years on cobb mountain. it was destroyed. her two sons lost their homes as well and this was the ohm of a friend where she planned to take refuge but it also burned to the ground. but everyone is safe. >> i grabbed a couple of photo albums and you think you're going to be prepared. you're not. >> dozen of homes are gone. neighborhoods reduced to an eerie moonscape. cars melted down to scrap. the total number of homes lost will be staggering. >> as far as an esti

take a look at what abc7 news reporter cornell bernard shot today in san rafael as the rain moved towardsnty. let's turn to spencer christian, spencer this, should help on the fire line. >> it's helped with the firefighting efforts and cleaned the air a little bit. here is a live view showing light to moderate rainfall moving through the bay area, throughout the area of the valley fire, this is helpful rainfall. firefighters 63 degrees and winds gusting to 20 miles per hour. the winds are accompanied by rainfall. it continues to be light to moderate from west to east. let's look at rainfall totals so far in mount st. helena. notice how widely varied these amounts are. lower lake, only 4/100ths of an inch. we expect the rain to end and winds to be rather strong throughout the overnight hours. they will shift north and northwestern direction and will weaken mid day, into the afternoon. bad news is that temperatures rise over the weekend. >> spencer, thank you.

. >>> let's now turn to cornell bernard in lake county. cornell, more people are finally coming home. >> reporter: yes. that is right. the road block just lifted about an hour ago. allowing folks to return home after ten days. some are finding prized possessions amid the ashes. this family has been waiting ten days to go back to their home, which was spared by the valley fire. >> we're blessed. so it's hard to be angry or upset. we made it. and many of our friends and neighbors didn't. >> reporter: but neighbors eric lopez lost their home. seven on your side posted a pop up event. what we didn't know is that eric had a secret about something he left behind. >> i started getting worried and kind of upset. i knew i had a ring in the house. she didn't know. >> reporter: not just any ring, but a diamond engagement ring. >> all week, i thought the ring, the ring. hopefully, it's good. >> and when he told me that he had bought an engagement ring, and it was in the home. >> the tv was still standing. and i seen the box on top of it. >> he opened i

cornell bernard is live with details. >> reporter: they hope a $20,000 reward will be enough to catchiller, and bring some justice to a family who so desperately needed it. >> she was a beautiful, peaceful young woman. >> reporter: a small memorial remembering a'tierra westbrook sits on benecia road. the balloons delated and flowers witnessed. her family is demanding answers. >> our family is in constant fear. we don't know why that it helped. >> reporter: this relative said it was time to speak out about the brutal murder which happen the morning of all 3rd. a'tierra was leaving for her job a at a richmond hospital where worked with her mom. >> she turned the engine on and someone walked up to the driver's side and began shooting into the car. >> young girl, too many bullets. it's not right. >> reporter: neighbors heard multibell gunshots, detectives have few clues bud shay was targeted by someone. witnesses could only describe a

cornell bernard is live tonight in an animal shelter that has been overrun with lost, and injured animalsell? >> reporter: yes. it's getting crowded here, but workers here say no problem, they're happy to make room for as many four-legged fire victims that they can. officials say they will stay at the shelter until they are claimed. the pictures are heart breaking. the lake county shelter trying to reunite 200 dogs and cats with owners found lost after the valley fire. the shelter's facebook page packed with snap shots and information, hoping someone will recognize them. >> there is information here, this one is pretty girl. >> reporter: kelly tracy checking on dozens. cats that were boarded in a vet clinic forced to evacuate from the valley fire. they're waiting for owners to claim them, but that could take time. >> they've lost their home and everything. everything. and they just now, the pets are going to be one more thing he. >> the shelter is offering free boarding but some won't be coming back. jack's owners surrendered him. and yanni will be looking for a new home too. >> we didn't

our crews have been throughout the areas all day today, abc7 news reporter cornell bernard joins us inreporter: the scope of the tragedy is very hard to comprehend. we're here on lincoln street. this is one block away from highway 29. destruction is all too clear. the neighborhood has been reduced to ashes. firefighters are battling flames just miles away. a new fire fight south of middletown, the valley fire reared it's head over a ridge. crews need rain, but got gusty winds instead. still, they're winning the fight here. >> we're trying to get

abc7ws reporter cornell bernard is live in middleton tonight.this disaster declaration will get people the help they need. >> yes. it's very good news. many people needing that federal aid tonight. many people needing shelter. this shelter here at the twin pines casino is filling up tonight. >> we're the first people here. >> wow. >> we came saturday. >> reporter: christine and her family, three dogs are packing up. they're getting ready to leave the place they've called home for 11 days. the napa county fair grounds close thursday. >> what are your plans for the future? >> just to hopefully go home to cobb. >> reporter: 200 folks are still here, but tents are coming down. many thinking about the next move. napa county is helping with the transition. >> just making sure everybody has access. the folks are going to need services for a long time. >> doera lost her home in the fire storm. >> trying to get bacr feet again. >> reporter: dora will move to the red cross shelter in middleton. 50 families will get temporary housing in kelseyville at an o

our crews have been throughout the areas all day today, abc7 news reporter cornell bernard joins us in middleton. >> reporter: the scope of the tragedy is very hard to comprehend. we're here on lincoln street. this is one block away from highway 29. destruction is all too clear. the neighborhood has been reduced to ashes. firefighters are battling flames just miles away. a new fire fight south of middletown, the valley fire reared it's head over a ridge. crews need rain, but got gusty winds instead. still, they're winning the fight here. >> we're trying to get containment here to give some assurance to the people of middleton this is taken care of. >> reporter: saturday, a fire storm destroyed dozens of homes and neighborhoods destroyed to moon scapes. shirley just learned her home is gone. >> all i can do is just cry.fá i don't know. a lot of memories. >> reporter: it's the home they raised a family here, before living here, they owned the home across the street. it's gone, too. >> reporter: were you able to salvage anything here? >> no. no. we got stuff in the rv. so we'll be all rig

cornell bernard is live tonight in an animal shelter that has been overrun with lost, and injured animalsrnell? >> reporter: yes. it's getting crowded here, but workers here say no problem, they're happy to make room for as many four-legged fire victims that they can. officials say they will stay at the shelter until they are claimed. the pictures are heart breaking. the lake county shelter trying to reunite 200 dogs and cats with owners found lost after the valley fire. the shelter's facebook page packed with snap shots and information, hoping someone will recognize them. >> there is information here, this one is pretty girl. >> reporter: kelly tracy checking on dozens. cats that were boarded in a vet clinic forced to evacuate from the valley fire. they're waiting for owners to claim them, but that could take time. >> they've lost their home and everything. everything. and they just now, the pets are going to be one more thing he. >> the shelter is offering free boarding but some won't be coming back. jack's owners surrendered him. and yanni will be looking for a new home too. >> we didn

take a look at what abc7 news reporter cornell bernard shot today in san rafael as the rain moved towards lake county. let's turn to spencer christian, spencer this, should help on the fire line. >> it's helped with the firefighting efforts and cleaned the air a little bit. here is a live view showing light to moderate rainfall moving through the bay area, throughout the area of the valley fire, this is helpful rainfall. firefighters 63 degrees and winds gusting to 20 miles per hour. the winds are accompanied by rainfall. it continues to be light to moderate from west to east. let's look at rainfall totals so far in mount st. helena. notice how widely varied these amounts are. lower lake, only 4/100ths of an inch. we expect the rain to end and winds to be rather strong throughout the overnight hours. they will shift north and northwestern direction and will weaken mid day, into the afternoon. bad news is that temperatures rise over the weekend. >> spencer, thank you. >> here is the latest on the valley fire, the lake county sheriff's office deployed cadaver dogs to search for four missing

cornell bernard was there when the fbi announced it's joining the investigation. >> aya nicano was a recent graduate from the university of oregon. >> as a mother, i want nothing more than giving him the justice he deserves. >> reporter: now, the fbi is standing with her. it's a part of a larger fbi strategy to address the most-violent crime in the city. >> reporter: the fbi is offering a $25,000 reward in addition to $100,000 already offered by the family. it can be seen on the fbi website and a digital bill board. all for information leading to arrest of two suspects who shot nicano the night of june 12th after a minor fender bender. >> our hopes is that someone has a little bit of information. >> the fbi has assisted opd before with cold cases. now, agents will be sharing office space at police headquarters. not far from homicide detectives, hoping to solve several thousand crimes dating back to the 1960s. >> they're overwhelmed but need all of the help they can get. >> not that we're trying to say we can do a better job. absolutely not. it is lets assist the oakland police depart