[UPDATE 11:31 a.m.] One Dead, Multiple Structures Burned, Numerous Injuries, One Looter Arrested in Redwood Complex Fire

Press release from Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

Declared State of Emergency – Redwood Fire

Mandatory Evacuations

Location:
Redwood Valley, California

Date of Incident:
10-09-2017

Time:
1:10 AM

Victim(s):
N/A

Suspect(s):
N/A

Written By:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten

Synopsis:
On 10-09-2017 at 1:10 AM a Sergeant from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol in the area of Hawn Creek Road in Potter Valley, California.

During this time there was severe wind gusts which downed trees and power lines in this area of the valley.  Shortly thereafter the Sergeant witnessed a ground fire which quickly traveled to the west towards Redwood Valley.

The fire quickly invaded Redwood Valley resulting in the mandatory evacuations of residents.

As of 10-09-2017 at 10:00 AM there have been multiple structures destroyed with a reported fatality and numerous injuries as a result of the fire.

The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to assist with mandatory evacuations and responding to assist residents who are unable to self evacuate.

The Sheriff’s Office is also conducting theft prevention patrols and have arrested one person who was in the process of burglarizing an evacuated home.

In response to the destruction caused thus far as a result of the Redwood Fire, Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas D. Allman has declared a State of Emergency in Mendocino County.

Further press releases are forth coming as the Redwood Fire progresses.

Real time updates are being made on the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoSheriff/) and Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/mendosheriff).

The County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been activated.  The EOC number is (707) 467-6428.

UPDATE 11:31 a.m.: Mendocino Sheriff Declares State of Emergency, Approximately 10,000 Acres Burned, 0% Containment, Approximately 80 Structures Gone

More Information on Major Fire Incident Stories From Oct 9:
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19 Comments
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Dot
Guest
Dot
6 years ago

So fortunate the patrolman was in the area to see and report it in the beginning. These winds are terrible.

Ugh
Guest
Ugh
6 years ago

Can we just throw looters into a big dirt pit for a few days????
Or let the neighbors theyre looting deal with them?
Or at least give them a year of community service on a workcrew cleaning up aftr the fire?

Traveller
Guest
Traveller
6 years ago

Welcome back to The Island.
Unless you want to play Russian Roulette by driving 299 and dealing with all the eejiot drivers in a hurry to wreck their cars (and yours), or to drive to Grants Pass and take I-5 south from there, OR try to be at the openings on Hwy 36 when they happen (not a guarantee you’ll get there in time and not have to wait until the next opening), you are trapped here until US 101 is open again.

Ummm
Guest
Ummm
6 years ago
Reply to  Traveller

And not all of us think thats a bad thing.
No offense to anyone, but if you have a hard time with not being able to “get out” then you should probably live somewhere else.

There are a lot of people who have supplies and are ready as best they can for emergencies. Thats one of the values of having backwoods rural living folks around, you have to be ready for your road to give out or whatever other things can keep you home bound.

The best thing to do is be prepared.
Do you have 3 weeks worth of food and water for each family member including pets? Most of us dont.
Get your camping gear into your emergency kit,a campstove&good water filter&headlamps (&some caffeine and sugar) will help an emergency situation immensely. Look into solar powered cel chargers, theyre like 15bucks online.
Get an emergency weather radio. Dont depend on cel/internet. These fires are a reminder to us to be ready.

Traveller
Guest
Traveller
6 years ago
Reply to  Ummm

It’s a matter of a PLANNED journey, not the whim to travel at this point. I spent the winter putting off planned journeys, missing events and the like. Mostly, I don’t leave my house except for a weekly run to buy food and more gas so I can get out to buy food next week, too. To that extent Humboldt is fine – I lived like that in the Urbs, too.
THIS is a trip that has been planned for three months. I’m trapped again! Truth? Living in Humboldt is a stone drag unless you are growing pot or invested in local politics. Neither applies in my case, but I am here because being housed here beats living in my car anywhere else. I’m making the best of it but I AM disgruntled that this trip is not only delayed but will cost me an extra eight hours on the road (plus gas) and put me at serious risk driving 299.

Mariahgirl
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Traveller

I drive 299 all of the time and if people want to go faster pull over and let them go past you.

Silkentek
Guest
Silkentek
6 years ago
Reply to  Traveller

There is always Hwy 1 from Leggett, or The road from laytonville that goes to hwy 1, to reach Ft bragg, and points south if you REALLY need to go. One can travel all the way to southern cal on the coast line. Now if Hwy 1 gets closed between Garberville and leggett, then best to just sit tight til things are back under control.

Traveller
Guest
Traveller
6 years ago
Reply to  Silkentek

Odd how I never consider Hwy 1. That’s only an extra six hours added to the drive, isn’t it? Plus the exhaustion of driving an intense winding two lane road for six hours… But it drops me in the Bayarrhea (yeah, pronounced like something you get in your gut) and the whole point of my travel plans was to avoid that traffic tangle…
And since there are ALSO fires on Hwy 37 between Novato and Vallejo. Three hours on 299 seems less a physical drain than six hours on US 1.

Shel
Guest
Shel
6 years ago
Reply to  Traveller

they are suppose to relax 36 for traffic during these fire storms (check road reports/cal trans for updates)

Scooter
Guest
Scooter
6 years ago

The north end of Santa Rosa is gone. Larkfeild, wikiup, cleveland avenue around piner, kmart, trader joes and hundreds of homes, all gone.

Traveller
Guest
Traveller
6 years ago
Reply to  Scooter

OH NO! Urban wildfires!
TJ’s ! Has it taken out the Mall yet?
Worse is all the homes burned… Just before the winter starts. Where will they go?

Carol
Guest
Carol
6 years ago
Reply to  Scooter

I have family there in Larkfield. The have lived there since the 1960’s. Phone went right to voicemail. Devastating.

:(
Guest
:(
6 years ago
Reply to  Scooter

Scooter, are you hearing that from someone down there?
Is that the TJ’S visible from the 101?

KYM, please remind us all how to donate to you, time and again you are the best outlet for info, many thanks!!!

The Hermit of Grizzly Mountain
Guest
The Hermit of Grizzly Mountain
6 years ago
Reply to  Scooter

Scooter, the current evacuation map Northern boundary is at Mark West, just South of Wikiup. Do you have additional information resources to share?

Santa Rosa Evacuation Area:
https://srcity.org/610/Emergency-Information

Brian
Guest
Brian
6 years ago

#santarosafire on twitter.

Go to press democrat for twitter feed and updates on santa rosa.

Carol
Guest
Carol
6 years ago

Fountaingrove Inn and The Hilton have burned down. Devastating.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-napa-fires-20171009-story,amp.html

Zaniah
Guest
Zaniah
6 years ago
Reply to  Carol

I recently stayed at that Hilton and shopped a Trader Joes.

Poppins
Guest
Poppins
6 years ago

Having planned travel delayed by a devastating wild fire is the a bummer for yo dear poster above.

But…it is not as devastating as losing your life or your home and business.

Facing an immediately threatening wild fire is very different than a slow moving wild land fire.

Of which our family, neighbors and tiny community faced over the summer.

We learned that a minimum 300 foot clearance was not enough safe space.

We learned the benefit of scanning vital documents, legal papers, contact information, medical records, photos, property inventories onto multiple thumb drives help reconstruct memories and assists in knowing exactly what you lost.

Having cash on hand for lodging, food, and gas is a small measure of comfort. With fiber optic lines down using an ATM card or credit card is challenging.

What the folks down south are experiencing is far more real and heartbreaking than a delayed trip.

May all who have lost so very much find an abundance of human kindness and shelter tonight and in the coming days.