A 17-Year-Old Mendocino Girl Recounts How She and Friends Fled the Helena Fire in Trinity County

Fire and firetruck

[Crop of a photo by Laurie Haney]

17-year-old Roxie Johnson from Laytonville was visiting a friend near Helena in Trinity County today when she and her friend’s family had to flee a racing wildfire. The first sign of a problem was a trickle of smoke to the east, said Johnson. “About 6 p.m., the hills were starting to glow…We were getting texts from friends that we should evacuate,” she explained. “We weren’t really sure. [The fire] seemed like it had a long ways to come.”

They could see the fire not far way.

Eventually, a group including Johnson started getting ready to leave. Johnson said, “I packed up all my stuff and put it in my car…My mom was calling telling me to leave….It just didn’t seem real.” The group still was undecided.

“Then,” she said, “all of a sudden, there was a fire truck with a loud speaker telling us there was a mandatory evacuation.” The group started driving to Weaverville. “Flames were on the hillside right next to us…The visibility on the road started to get pretty gnarly.” In the town of Weaverville, Johnson said. “The sky was just blacked out. It was raining ash.”

Johnson’s friend’s dad and his friends “decided to stay and defend their land” at first but now, she said, “they think they are going to leave the property. It isn’t looking good…I think my friends’ house might be burning to the ground.”

 

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19 Comments
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Stephen Arnett
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Stephen Arnett
6 years ago

Good thing they made it out when they did hopefully other residents make it out in time as well

Sherry Gardner
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Sherry Gardner
6 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Arnett

Praying and hoping all are out of the way!

Kimberly Springer
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Kimberly Springer
6 years ago

I’m glad u r all ok . That’s the important part .. I’m in Lewiston & it’s the same out here. Raining ash.. I want to go home to Mendocino so bad. Hard to breathe here.. god Bless J.C& Helena !! Stay strong

Becky
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Becky
6 years ago

You can go down I5 to 20 west to Mendicino. My hubby had to stay in Anderson last night. They are going to try to find him a load to Ukiah, he can come home (to Eureka) from there.

Thinking allowed
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Thinking allowed
6 years ago

This is a good story to read. It’s easy to think that you’ll know what to do but it is rarely so clear.

Where I live the trees would block out views so I might get a whiff of smoke and that might be my only clue to go.

Phyllis
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Phyllis
6 years ago

Any updates this morning?

J
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J
6 years ago

Hope the adults have left, that’s how the guy died in the lake county fire. Your house isn’t worth it, leave it to the professionals.

G-MAS
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G-MAS
6 years ago

If they.say go,GO!!please be safe. I’m so happy you all left and are safe.im so sorry about your friend’s home. But your all ok,it’s a house it can be rebuilt,your life is worth more.

Chuck
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Chuck
6 years ago

Sent my c-section wife and newborn off to stay with family yesterday because of the heat coming and just in time, damn the smoke is bad! Be safe everyone, sending best wishes!

Jayne Dough
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Jayne Dough
6 years ago
Reply to  Chuck

Good luck with everything, hoping Mom and Baby are good, glad you got those baby lungs out of there!

G-MAS
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G-MAS
6 years ago
Reply to  Chuck

Chuck,why didn’t you go too? Hope your safe,glad your family is safe. Take care. Bless you

Chuck
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Chuck
6 years ago
Reply to  G-MAS

We are 30 miles away, just smoke. I am the ranch hand, my wife is the boss who gets to leave 😉

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago
Reply to  Chuck

Stay safe!!!

Stormy
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Stormy
6 years ago

Need some editing here. Same paragraph twice.

Deonne
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Deonne
6 years ago

So many fires, so many people losing their homes. Praying for safety for all in the area. Wondering how we can we help in practical ways?

Daniel
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Daniel
6 years ago

Anyone know the status of the ghost town? Hope everyone is being safe.

Paul Redd
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Paul Redd
6 years ago

I was in Weaverville Wed night and thurs morning. The smoke was soooo bad. Even those safe from the flames should leave due to hazardous air. We got up and left as the fire trucks poured in by the dozens.