[UPDATE 8 a.m.] Major Fire in Mendocino Joins Others Whipping Across Northern California; 101 Closing

wildland fire featureAnother major fire is breaking out in northern California early this morning in Mendocino joining a number of other fires breaking out across Sonoma, Napa, Lake and other counties. The Mendocino Fire is in Redwood Valley. It has shut down Hwy 101 at West Road, according to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page. Evacuations were called for on the scanner but at this point, it isn’t clear where they are.

According to Wildland Fire.com, the fire is at 600 acres as of 2:30 a.m. The fire is burning in all directions, structures are threatened and people are trapped. One commenter, these are usually firefighters listening to fire channels, “Manditory evacs along Tomki Road. West Road from Tomki to Hwy 101.”

Reporters at the Mendocino Voice have let us know they can see flames in the distance but their internet is down.

UPDATE 2:50 a.m.: Caltrans is requesting that Hwy 101 be shut down south of the Willits Bypass.

UPDATE 2:55 a.m.: Houses are being reported burned over the scanner.

UPDATE 3:01 a.m.: Here is the view from the Testa Vineyards in Ukiah. 

Flames burning near Testa Vineyards in Mendocino.

Flames burning near Testa Vineyards in Mendocino. [Used with Testa Vineyards permission]


UPDATE 3:06 a.m.: According to the scanner, The fire in Potter Valley is moving west, towards Redwood valley, along Redwood Drive.

UPDATE 3:09 a.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff tweeted in the last five minutes, “Fires in Mendocino Co. – In Redwood Valley, School Way from Hwy 101 has been closed. Currently under EVACUATION ORDER: East Rd & West Rd…ALSO UNDER EVACUATION ORDER: Tomki Rd to Canyon Rd in Willits, Golden Rule subd, Reeves Canyon.”

UPDATE 3:22 a.m.: The Mendocino Voice has information here.

UPDATE 3:23 a.m.: Anyone evacuating with animals can take them to the Ukiah Fairgrounds and go to the Main entrance, according to information over the scanner.

UPDATE 3:33 a.m.: Report came over the scanner that 7 houses are burning on J Road.
UPDATE 3:41 a.m.: According to a report over the scanner, “We’re done on West Road. Everyone has to get out.” Evacuations from Mohawk south on West Road, according to a firefighter on the scanner.
UPDATE 3:45 a.m.: There are multiple reports of structures burning.
UPDATE 3:46 a.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff’s Department tweeted two minutes ago that shelters are open for fire evacuees. Those south of fire go to Ukiah High School. Those north of the fire go to Willits Community Center.

UPDATE 3:51 a.m.: Roads L and K are being evacuated, according to the scanner.

UPDATE 4:26 a.m.: According to the scanner, one home on Redwood Drive is beginning to catch fire.

UPDATE 4:32 a.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff’s Department just posted on Facebook, “Highway 101 is closed from Uva Drive North to Ridgewood Grade. All Redwood Valley south of School Way Circle to Highway 20 and east to Horshoe Circle is under EVACUATION WARNING. An evacuation warning means you need to be ready to move out at a moment’s notice – prepare animals, important papers, medicines & other necessities.”

UPDATE 5:01 a.m.: PG&E is cutting power from School Way north.

According to a witness along Road E, Michael Godinez, “It sounds like a jet engine out here.” He sent the photo below.

Fire at Road E

Fire at Road E just before 5 a.m. [Photo by Michael Godinez]


UPDATE 5:02 a.m.: The National Weather Service tweeted this gif showing the fire growing.

UPDATE 5:07 a.m.: According to the CHP, Hwy 101 between Uva Drive and the Willits Bypass is closed.

UPDATE 5:13 a.m.: Mendocino Sheriff states, “Call center for fire information is now open. Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.
Fire information numbers:

(707) 467-6428
(707) 467-2518
(707) 467-6446″

UPDATE 5:15 a.m.: Potter Valley School closed today, according to the Mendocino Sheriff.

UPDATE 5:16 a.m.: Two women being reported with burns over the scanner.

UPDATE 5:29 a.m.: According to the CHP CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, the two women were found with 3rd degree burns lying in the roadway at 11400 block of West Road.

UPDATE 5:55 a.m.: Redwood Valley North of Ukiah on Fire: Evacuations, Multiple Structures Burned, Serious Injuries
UPDATE 8 a.m.: Parts of Santa Rosa are being evacuated. https://twitter.com/amyhollyfield/

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38 Comments
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Gasquet
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Gasquet
6 years ago

Sorry to hear homes are being destroyed. Sad. Did they have a bunch of dry lightning or something?

Stephanie
Guest
Stephanie
6 years ago
Reply to  Gasquet

My moms house burned down kaiser permanente parking lot is on fire right now

Danelle
Guest
Danelle
6 years ago

We have family up there that just got evacuated off of Jenkins Rd Redwood Valley and we live 3 hours away – is there an official fire news site we can view?

Em
Guest
Em
6 years ago
Reply to  Danelle

My boyfriend lives on west road. Can you please post or send me the official fire news site?

shinah
Guest
shinah
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

is hwy 101 still closed? coming from willits heading towards santa rosa??

Jack Crispin Cain
Guest
Jack Crispin Cain
6 years ago
Reply to  Danelle

I am glad to hear of a Jenkin’s Road Evacuation!

Natasha
Guest
Natasha
6 years ago
Reply to  Danelle

Check the cal-fire website or cal-fire page on facebook

Danelle
Guest
Danelle
6 years ago

Thank you!

MendocinoMamma
Guest
MendocinoMamma
6 years ago

Friend by Rewood Valley Gas Station hearing explosions and sky red…she’s leaving.

M. E. Papin
Guest
M. E. Papin
6 years ago
Reply to  MendocinoMamma

I could hear propane tanks blowing up and am a mile south of there.

Melody
Guest
Melody
6 years ago

a woman from the ukiah news paper just stopped here at the top of lake mendocino to let us know a bunch of people are informally meeting at Taylor’s taverns as well so if looking for locals that’s one to add.

T
Guest
T
6 years ago

Are the fires getting contained? Is there fire close to the humboldt county line or expected to be?

T
Guest
T
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Oh my. Thank you for the quick response. This is terrifying.

Veterens friend
Guest
Veterens friend
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Blue Lake?

M. E. Papin
Guest
M. E. Papin
6 years ago

The winds have been horrible and erratic. We are a little south of mandatory evac area in Redwood Valley but are packing our dogs and imp papers into Ukiah. All it takes is a huge gust of wind in any direction and everybody is screwed.

Cari J. Vivian
Guest
Cari J. Vivian
6 years ago

My daughter lives on West Road. They were evacuated around 2. She just reported to me that the fires are starting to burn houses at the 11,000 section of West Road.

Darko
Guest
Darko
6 years ago

I hope there still is a redwood valley by daybreak, we could hear explosion everywhere around us as we left at like 4am

Lori Scoville
Guest
Lori Scoville
6 years ago

My 87 y/o mother is by herself off chinquapin in Willits. Her husband is in the hospital in Santa Rosa and she can’t drive. Is she in danger?

Heather
Guest
Heather
6 years ago
Reply to  Lori Scoville

Yes, my 65 year old mother in law was just forced to evac a 6am, she lives near the top of Ridgewood rd

DD
Guest
DD
6 years ago
Reply to  Lori Scoville

[edit]
The whole place is on fire!

Brianna
Guest
Brianna
6 years ago

Can anyone give me an update on the animals in the shelter?

samantha forster
Guest
samantha forster
6 years ago

Is willits experiencing evacuation? I left this morning to work in fort Bragg and didn’t see anything.

D Watkins
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym Kemp thanks for the updates and info. God bless and be safe…

Melissa Night
Guest
Melissa Night
6 years ago

If there is reason at any point to believe that the Milo Sanctuary needs to begin evacuation plans, PLEASE contact them at [email protected] or call 707-459-4900. The property borders the junction of Tomki and Canyon in Willits at Scott’s creek all the way up over the hill to Hearst Rd. As of right now they have been told by the hotline that evacuations are only necessary in Redwood Valley even though Canyon and Tomki in Willits was mentioned as evac in one of the tweets. They have nearly 200 animals spread out on the property and will need time to get everyone to safety if need be, an immediate mandatory evacuation notice would not provide enough time to do so. If anyone gets more info than is updated in posts above please share the info with Milo ASAP. Thank you!

Lynn di Bari
Guest
Lynn di Bari
6 years ago

We live in Willits north side. We had no wind up here in Brooktrails. We are traveling to work to Redway. Already packed special pictures just in case! Very Scary

Sylvia
Guest
Sylvia
6 years ago

I read Hwy 36 is easing construction to allow for more travelers trying to get to Hwy 5

raizie powell
Guest
raizie powell
6 years ago

We r at 9200 hearst road at the tomki hearst road split. How far is the fire from us..is there an evacuation out on oir area? We have internet but no phone please advise?

Hawk
Guest
Hawk
6 years ago
Reply to  raizie powell

I lived at 9200 hearst 2 years ago with will and family but now very far away.my kidd and grandkids live near therr.any info you can provide is grateful.

Sarah Shems
Guest
Sarah Shems
6 years ago

Any update on Willits?

CaraD
Guest
CaraD
6 years ago

My Dad is in Willis he just moved there I don’t even know what road he lives and I’m trapped in a hospital if anyone knows my dad and his wife please please someone makes sure he’s ok he can’t see well rite now has surgery comeing up to fix..Bill Duke is his name and wife merrinee I’m going to continue try reaching him.. in Sacramento hospital Im very worried very stressed…

PFC
Guest
PFC
6 years ago

Are the homes in the Cave Creek area of Redwood Valley on Scenic Drive affected?

LaVonne
Guest
LaVonne
6 years ago

Is the fire close to fort Bragg?