Valley Fire: Ten Years Later
Honoring Loss, Resilience and Shared Recovery
The 2015 Valley Fire burned more than 76,000 acres, destroyed nearly 2,000 structures and displaced thousands. A decade later, collaboration remains central to Lake County’s wildfire risk reduction and recovery efforts.
September 12, 2025, marks ten years since the Valley Fire began. While we remember the tragedy and honor those lost, we also recognize how collaboration among government, nonprofits and communities has become Lake County’s greatest strength in facing wildfire challenges.
The Valley Fire erupted near Cobb on September 12, 2015, and spread with alarming speed. Within hours, it consumed more than 10,000 acres, eventually reaching 76,067 acres across Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties. In total, 1,958 structures were destroyed, 93 were damaged, and four lives were lost. Entire towns, including Middletown, Cobb and Harbin Hot Springs, were devastated. Four CAL FIRE firefighters suffered serious burns in the initial attack. The fire’s destruction underscored the urgent need for stronger wildfire preparedness, collaborative response and long-term resilience planning.
Recovery revealed a powerful truth: we cannot do this alone. The scale of the Valley Fire required unprecedented collaboration. Government agencies worked side by side with nonprofits, faith-based organizations and neighbors helping neighbors. Fire districts, emergency responders and community volunteers became the backbone of relief efforts, providing not only firefighting and medical aid but also ongoing support in rebuilding. This collective response highlighted that collaboration is Lake County’s superpower—one that has shaped our recovery and continues to guide how we prepare for and reduce wildfire risks today.
Since 2015, wildfire risk reduction has become central to Lake County’s future. Local fire districts have expanded their role in community preparedness, building defensible space and public education. State and local partners established stronger risk reduction authorities and planning initiatives, focusing on fuel reduction, prescribed burning and fire-safe building standards. These steps, supported by government agencies and nonprofit partners, help protect communities from future wildfires. The Valley Fire taught us that reducing risk requires ongoing investment and shared responsibility across every level — residents, fire districts, nonprofits, and state and federal agencies working together toward a safer tomorrow.
To mark the 10-year anniversary, community events will take place throughout Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13, 2025. On Friday, join “Honoring Lives, Recognizing Service, United in Resilience” at 1:00 p.m. at Mandala Springs Wellness Center, followed by a Community Gathering at the Little Red School House from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Saturday includes a 4:00–6:00 p.m. Valley Fire Commemoration Ceremony at Middletown Square Park, a 5:30–7:00 p.m. Food Walk downtown, a 6:30–10:00 p.m. Community Resilience through the Arts event at Middletown Art Center, and a Movies in the Park showing of Wild Robot at 7:30 p.m.
Ten years later, Lake County is stronger because we have embraced collaboration as a cornerstone of recovery and risk reduction. Our fire districts, nonprofits, community organizations and government agencies each play a vital role. From volunteerism to large-scale planning, this shared responsibility continues to shape our resilience. The Valley Fire’s legacy is not only one of devastation but of determination: a reminder that survival, recovery and preparedness are possible only when we work together. Our future depends on the same unity that carried us through those dark days in 2015.
As we honor the 10-year anniversary of the Valley Fire, we remember the lives lost, salute first responders and reaffirm that collaboration is our path forward. We encourage residents to support local fire districts, create defensible space and stay wildfire ready.