[UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: GOOD NEWS] Deputies Evacuating Residents as Fire Spreads in Redwood Valley

Thursday, 25 June 2026, 1:11 pm Kym Kemp 2 comments

[Screenshot of the Ridgewood Grade camera on ALERTCalifornia in Mendocino County.]

A vegetation fire in the Redwood Valley area of Mendocino County is spreading north this afternoon, threatening structures. Evacuation warnings have been issued by Nixle but over the scanner we can hear that deputies and Ukiah Police are going door to door evacuating residents.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office issued an Evacuation Warning at 12:49 p.m. for the Vineyard Oaks Drive area, advising residents to prepare to leave immediately if conditions worsen.

Since then, the Sheriff’s Office has escalated evacuations for some neighborhoods, issuing the following order to leave: “Evacuation Order: Wildfire in the Redwood Valley area, Forsyth Drive, Vineyard Oaks Drive, Oaks Ponds Court, Do not delay. Use the safest manner possible when evacuating.”

Radio traffic indicates the vegetation fire has spread to at least one outbuilding with firefighters working to protect homes in its path.

Scanner reports also indicated a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to evacuate a residence where animals remained inside. Some animals were removed but others remained.

Meanwhile, images from the Laughlin Ridge ALERTCalifornia camera show a rapidly growing smoke column over the fire area as crews continue battling the blaze.

Residents within evacuation warning areas are urged to prepare to leave on short notice by gathering essential belongings, checking on neighbors, and leaving early if they feel unsafe.

Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: The Nixle alert states,

Evacuation Order: Wildfire in the Redwood Valley area, Forsyth Drive, Vineyard Oaks Drive, Oaks Ponds Court, Do not delay, evacuate immediately. Check with your neighbors to ensure they are aware of the order if you have time. Use the safest manner possible when evacuating. Do not block the road. Emergency crews need access. Only call 9 1 1 for emergencies. We will publish more information including evacuation zone maps and social media updates to mendoready.org as more information becomes available.

Wildfire Information Resources: Twitter: @MendoSheriff, Facebook: @MendocinoSheriff, Twitter: @CALFIRE_MEU Facebook: @CALFIREMENDOCINOUNIT Instagram: @calfiremeu, https://www.fire.ca.gov/, https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

Orden de evacuación: Wildfire en el área Redwood Valley, Forsyth Drive, Vineyard Oaks Drive, Oaks Ponds Court, No se demore, evacue inmediatamente. Consulte con sus vecinos para asegurarse de que estén al tanto de la orden si tiene tiempo. Use la manera más segura posible al evacuar. No bloquee el camino. Los equipos de emergencia necesitan acceso. Solo llama al 9 1 1 para emergencias. Visite mendoready.org para obtener más información. (Mapas de zonas de evacuación, actualizaciones de Twitter) Actualizaciones a seguir a medida que haya más información disponible.

Instructions:

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Over the scanner we can hear that forward progress has been stopped. The evacuation order is being lifted. People are going to be let back in. We caution that this is not official. We will update with more information as soon as possible.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department is now giving good news. They state, “Evacuation Order is downgraded to situational awareness for Wildfire in the Redwood Valley area, Forsyth Drive, Vineyard Oaks Dr”