Gallo Winery donates $1M to wildfire recovery efforts

E.&J. Gallo Winery is donating $1 million to aid the fire recovery effort and additionally will match employee donations two-to-one.

The money will be divided among the American Red Cross California Wildfires Relief Fund, the Community Foundation of Sonoma and the Napa Valley Community Foundation, according to a news release Friday morning from the Modesto winery.

“It is devastating to learn that our colleagues, friends, growers and neighbors have suffered such great losses. We hope they are given the strength, fortitude, and endurance to deal with these adversities,” Joseph E. Gallo, chief executive officer of the E. & J. Gallo Winery, said in the news release.

The company owns wineries, vineyards and production facilities across Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Solano counties. Its William Hill Estate Winery in Napa County sustained minor cosmetic damage and landscaping damage, according to a statement from Gallo earlier this week.

The latest on the California wildfires, according to the Associated Press on Friday morning:

Firefighters gained some ground on a blaze burning in the heart of wine country but face another tough day ahead with low humidity and high winds expected to return.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Scott McLean says a blaze burning in Sonoma and Napa counties is 22 percent contained.

Thousands of firefighters are battling 21 wildfires spanning more than 300 square miles and more crews are pouring in to help.

McLean told Oakland television station KTVU that the blazes grew little overnight thanks to favorable weather, but he warned that gusty winds and higher temperatures are forecast Friday.

Since igniting Sunday in spots across eight counties, the blazes have killed 31 people and destroyed at least 3,500 homes and businesses.

This story was originally published October 13, 2017 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Gallo Winery donates $1M to wildfire recovery efforts."