Death toll raised to 11 in Sonoma Co. Tubbs Fire

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU/BCN) - 11 people have been found dead in Tubbs Fire burn areas and all but one have been recovered, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Tuesday evening. 

"The body (yet to be recovered) was found in an area that was too hot to enter," Giordano said at a news conference this afternoon outside the sheriff's office not far from a fire still burning near the Fountaingrove area of Santa Rosa.

Sheriff's officials also received 275 missing person reports and 57 of them of them were found safe. Missing person reports continue, Giordano said.

The Mark West, Coffey Park, Glen Ellen and Kenwood areas have been the most challenging fire zones in the sheriff's office's unincorporated county jurisdictions, Giordano said.

The 5,000-acre Nuns Fire in Glen Ellen was rapidly approaching the Oakmont retirement community south of Santa Rosa this afternoon.

A sheriff's deputy in the Mark West area remained with 40 people who sheltered in place in a field near a blocked road while fires burned around them, Giordano said.

"I've heard some very harrowing stories," Giordano said.

Giordano was selected sheriff after Steve Freitas retired in August for health reasons.

Giordano said 20 of his staff members lost their homes in the Tubbs Fire that started in Calistoga Sunday night and was quickly swept by the fierce, window-rattling wind into Santa Rosa.

A public community meeting about the fires and the response is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Santa Rosa High School at 1235 Mendocino Ave.

The deceased were found in the following areas: 

2 - Angela Drive, Larkfield
2 - Mark West Springs Road, Larkfield
1 - Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa
1 - Crystal Court, Santa Rosa
1 - Mountain Home Ranch Road, Santa Rosa (Calistoga, County line area)
1 - Hemlock St, Santa Rosa
2 - Sundown Trail, Santa Rosa
1 - Wikiup Bridge Way, Larkfield