[UPDATE 8 a.m.] Major Fire in Mendocino Joins Others Whipping Across Northern California; 101 Closing
Another 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.
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.
UPDATE 5:02 a.m.: The National Weather Service tweeted this gif showing the fire growing.
Here's a loop from Goes-16, showing rapid fire development in Mendocino County, and surrounding areas. Brighter colors=hotter surface temps. pic.twitter.com/YCYd4xWi1t
— NWS Eureka (@NWSEureka) October 9, 2017
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/
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Sorry to hear homes are being destroyed. Sad. Did they have a bunch of dry lightning or something?
My moms house burned down kaiser permanente parking lot is on fire right now
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?
My boyfriend lives on west road. Can you please post or send me the official fire news site?
https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoSheriff/
is hwy 101 still closed? coming from willits heading towards santa rosa??
yes
I am glad to hear of a Jenkin’s Road Evacuation!
Check the cal-fire website or cal-fire page on facebook
Thank you!
Friend by Rewood Valley Gas Station hearing explosions and sky red…she’s leaving.
I could hear propane tanks blowing up and am a mile south of there.
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.
Are the fires getting contained? Is there fire close to the humboldt county line or expected to be?
The fires are currently south of Willits. Humboldt County is not threatened at this time. However, the fires are not contained.
Oh my. Thank you for the quick response. This is terrifying.
Blue Lake?
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.
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.
I hope there still is a redwood valley by daybreak, we could hear explosion everywhere around us as we left at like 4am
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?
Yes, my 65 year old mother in law was just forced to evac a 6am, she lives near the top of Ridgewood rd
[edit]
The whole place is on fire!
Willits is not evacuating. But try calling these numbers for specific info: Fire information numbers:
(707) 467-6428
(707) 467-2518
(707) 467-6446″
Can anyone give me an update on the animals in the shelter?
Is willits experiencing evacuation? I left this morning to work in fort Bragg and didn’t see anything.
no
Kym Kemp thanks for the updates and info. God bless and be safe…
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!
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
I read Hwy 36 is easing construction to allow for more travelers trying to get to Hwy 5
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?
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.
Any update on Willits?
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…
Are the homes in the Cave Creek area of Redwood Valley on Scenic Drive affected?
Is the fire close to fort Bragg?
No