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September 2015 WINES&VINES 23 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS Rocky Fire that destroyed 43 homes, a new blaze flared up di- rectly south. The Jerusalem Fire broke out Aug. 9, prompting Cal- Fire to order the evacuation of Six Sigma for the second time in two weeks. (Tasting room staff re- opened to visitors Aug. 11.) At press time the Jerusalem Fire covered 24,555 acres in Cali- fornia's Lake and Napa counties, where it threatened 50 structures and was fanned by erratic winds. CalFire reported more than 2,200 firefighters and 164 engines were battling the blaze, which was 52% contained. While three large forest fires in wine country's back yard seemed enough for property owners to worry about, fire officials cau- tioned in early August that the worst of fire season was likely yet to come. California typically sees its worst months for forest fires in September and October, when summer heat has sapped grasses of any latent moisture. If July and August could prove so destructive, residents feared, what would the next two months yield? The spike in state fires is not entirely unexpected, however. Sci- entists have been warning since 2014 about the record low rainfall totals of recent years and the dwindling groundwater supplies accompanying them. In January California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emer- gency as a result of the ongoing drought, ordering state officials to prepare for water shortages by de- manding a 25% reduction in water use in urban areas. The cutbacks largely spared agriculture in the state, which already had imple- mented water-saving measures. —Jane Firstenfeld and Kate Lavin Call Toll Free: 800-POS-1290 We Pair Well Sell From Anywhere, Manage it Everywhere! Use your mobile device to process transactions, print and email receipts, while tracking sales and inventory. Six Sigma Ranch's Pinzgauer tour vehicle visits the edge of the 4,300-acre property, where 200 acres were burned by the Rocky Fire—none of them near the 50 acres planted to vineyard. "Smoke-related impacts to the area's wine grapes are estimated to be minimal to none." —Debra Sommerfield, Lake County Winegrape Commission