UPDATE 1pm, 10/09/17: For updates on Tuesday, October 10, please see this article.
UPDATE 10:40am, 10/09/17: We’re providing new updates for the fires at this link.
UPDATE: 5:40am, 10/09/17: Mendocino County has been hit hard tonight with two large fires, that have already burned down at least 11 structures, and severely burned at least two people. We are just now getting information on the actual scale of the fires. The fire in Redwood Valley has spread to 4500 acres, and is 0% contained, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Tricia Austin at 5:30am. A separate fire in Potter Valley stands at 1500 acres and is also 0% contained — this fire is responsible for the destruction of 11 structures so far. Both fires began around midnight, and firefighters are struggling with strong winds. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that aircraft cannot join the fight until sunrise, and major fires have sprung up in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties, spreading resources and firefighters thin.
Furthering confusion is the fact that the fire seems to have hit a cellphone tower, resulting in significant cell and internet outages around the fire and also in Willits.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has tweeted that the following areas are under an evacuation order: East and West Road, Tomki Road all the way the way to Canyon Road in Willits, the Golden Rule subdivision, and Reeve’s Canyon.
Here are the updates for people located in the evacuation zones. The Sheriff requests that you not call 911 unless you have an emergency. A call center for fire info has been set up. You can call 707.467.6428, 707.467.2518, 707.467.6446. Large animals north of the Ridgewood Grade can be evacuated to the Willits High farm, in Ukiah to the Fairgrounds. Shelters are open for evacuees at Ukiah High and the Willits Community Center.
Schools are closed in the Ukiah Unified School District and in Potter Valley.
Highway 101 is closed between Uva Drive and the top of the Ridgewood grade (just south of Black Bart Road and the Howard Forest Cal Fire station) in both directions. Highway 20 is closed in Lake County at Sulfur Banks Road, east of Clearlake Oakes. Additional road closures are listed in the original post.
The fire is burning uphill and east of the 101 and can be seen from the Little Lake Valley. Large swaths of the hills can be seen casting a glow on the smoke above along Black Bart Drive in Willits, where people quietly gathered at a turn out to watch the fire burn with somber expressions.
Willits is unusually active at this hour — people are driving through the streets with cots in the back of their trucks and big rigs are parked along the highway, unable to continue on their way south. Evacuees from the Golden Rule subdivision have filled the parking lot of the Evergreen shopping center, and milled around in a combination of pajamas and warm clothing. One woman said she’d been evacuated about at about 3:30am.
Reader Raschelle Hoyt shared this video of the fire:
Original: 3:20am, 10/09/17:
MENDOCINO CO., 10/09/17 — A major wild fire is burning in Redwood Valley, called the Redwood Complex, the smoke and glow of which are visible from Willits. Due to the hour information is limited, but scanner traffic indicates a size of perhaps 100 acres and growing.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has tweeted that the following areas are under an evacuation order: East and West Road, Tomki Road all the way the way to Canyon Road in Willits, the Golden Rule subdivision, and Reeve’s Canyon. In Redwood Valley, School Way has been closed from Highway 101. The Ukiah Fairgrounds is being made available for people with large animals who are facing evacuations. At 3:40am evacuations are expanding to the southern stretches of West Road, and more may be on the way.
As of 3am the 101 is closed in both directions at Black Bart Trail in Redwood Valley, at the bottom of the grade.
Given the wide sweep of evacuations, it’s unclear if this is one fire or multiple fires. From scanner traffic, it sounds like trees and power lines are down and visibility is limited. Assistance from PG&E has been requested. Roads in the area may be closed. According to scanner traffic, air ambulances in Mendocino are not flying due to weather.
Information is sparse and information is developing, we’ll try to post a fuller story in the coming hours. Reports indicate that the fire began in Potter Valley.
Kym Kemp at Redheaded Blackbelt is reporting that major fires have broken out in several northern California counties, including a 500 to 1000 acre fire in Lake County, and a fire that has caused evacuations near Santa Rosa.
We’re experiencing limited internet and cell connectivity — we’re not sure if this is a bigger problem or just The Mendocino Voice. If you have any additional information please contact us at [email protected] or on our Facebook page.
There are still many fires burning on the West ridge of Potter Valley. Huge flames are visible, and fires stretch for miles, with 35 mph winds blowing towards Redwood Valley. Absolutely surreal and catastrophic. Thank you firefighters! We’re praying for you & all the families involved.
Glad the air crews can get out now. Praying for you all from Ukiah.
what’s the best way to leave Ukiah to safety?
128 to booneville then to the coast, take 1 south to bodega and then out to where ever. 20 is shut off at clearlake oaks. 29 is shut off at calistoga american canyon and 101 is shut at santa rosa and wilits. most people will probablys stay put in ukaih or hopland
Is there any news on the structures that were lost? My parents live on West road. I have heard from them and know they are ok, but no need on their home.
Praying for friends who have now lost their homes in Redwood Valley! Fires are burning everywhere, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino. I’m scared because I live against the western hills of Ukiah and have so many dry trees behind my house. I can hear fire engines on Hwy 101 heading north. Horrible!
http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/6248/web
Mendocino County Dispatch Live feed.
Thank you for sharing this!
Everet- I hope you and your parents are OK.
4 years later out in redwood valley and burned trees still fall across the road regularly and our little swimming hole park is abandoned and forgotten. Luckily the guardrails have mostly been replaced but on the whole the place still looks like hell and water, power and road issues abound. I wonder what we’ve learned. Definitely not about fallen trees blocking roads in an emergency.
Thank you for covering this. Not a lot of information out there and this site was the first that I saw.
just got a call from my mom, her and tve family got evacuated and home is gone. The family and my mom are at evacuation center. Thank you for this article and fire fighters for saving lives
Why aren’t local radio stations providing updates?!
Wow maybe we should bring cal fire in from out of the areas to start containing! Good idea? Planes bore eights helicopters etc to bring us out of the 0 contained! Little slow reacting many of us feel ! Get help please!!!we are praying for those continue to suffers from this horrific fire! Thank you for those fight it for us as of now praise God we get more help!!
Coyote Valley Casino is opening their Event Center for evacuees of the fires.
Howl Yeah!
Is there any place to locate evacuees? I am looking for my elderly friend that was evacuated.
Many thanks to you for your coverage. The UDJ is charging to read their story but you’re on it for us. Donation to follow.
Thank you for covering this for the news. My prayers are with my neighbors in mendo, lake and somoma counties. I will definitely be making a donation to The Mendocino voice as it appears to be the only Outlet reporting on our local community.
Thanks you for this information. Hope everyone is getting to safety. Any news on the Milo Foundation animal sanctuary?
Thank you to the amazing firefighters and First Responders! Praying for your safety
shared what video?
trying to locate my son Gabe Gurrola who lives at 5444 canyon rd. Willits please if anyone can help contact me at [email protected]
thanks to everyone i finally heard from my son.
How are the houses on road D, any body heard? In Red Wood valley.
Hi Quillen, have you heard anything yet? I prayers for you and all in the valley as I have family there and it’s also my home. I lived at 8909 colony drive redwood valley for over 20 years growing up if you have any news can you please tell me. Thank you and God bless you!
Britta, This is Anne, I was married to Kenny Miller. With all of devastating fires, you and your mom have been on my mind. I hope and pray that you remain safe and sound. Anne Pritchett
Does anyone know of anything about the town of willits?? I have a lot of family there and i cant find anything out.
My Sister is on Kirk Rd. In Redwood Valley.. Has anyone heard anything about Kirk Road?
I just want to say thank you to all firefighter, I pray you get the energy to keep up the good work, God bless all of you wonderful peaple.
THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS ARTICLE. I HAVE BEEN SO WORRIED ABOUT JANI SHEPHERD AND OTHERS.
Thank you for your site. The best that I have found to keep up with things. I was born and raised in Willits so have many memories and friends there. This is all so surreal! My thank yous to the brave firefighters fighting to solve this. What a job. We all appreciate all of you and wish we could do something. Will be rewarded when this is all over. Hang in there! God bless. Lillian
Looks like fire is getting closer to the house my grandfather built on West and School in Redwood Valley.
Does anyone know how the neighborhood around the broiler steak house is? Or Oak Pond ct?
Any updates on Ridgewood Road? Dear friends live at 3600 Ridgewood Road (north side), about 0.8 mile before Lakewood Drive going up hill. Thank you.
My friends have replied. Per a radio announcement today, 10/15/17, they can go home an noon. Thank goodness they are lucky.
What a harrowing experience!
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