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News:Fires force evacuations in Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino Counties. (Update:all fires 100 % contained)


Arcadia
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Keeping everyone in our thoughts.  My dh's parents are packing up but not under evacuation yet (hopefully it won't happen).  Fingers crossed this gets under control soon.

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I'm hearing that downtown Sonoma is evacuating. Can anyone confirm?

4mins ago on City of Sonoma’s Facebook page

 

“EVACUATION UPDATE 10/11/2017 at 3:07 pm: There are currently no fires within City limits. However, a VOLUNTARY EVACUATION ADVISORY has been issued for the northern area of the City of Sonoma (all areas north of West Napa Street/East Napa Street, to the end of East Napa St.), as well as for all areas of El Verano and The Springs that are north of Petaluma Road, south of Madrone and east of Arnold Drive. â€

 

I am about 90miles south of the fire zones and I can smell the smoke now.

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OMGosh.  Someone I know is related to those first elderly deaths, the 98 year old and the 100 year old.

 

My Napa cousins' house was threatened, but a local contractor went up in to the ridge near their neighborhood and bulldozed a bunch of fire breaks, on his own, because no one else was doing it; saving a LOT of homes.  Very, very thankful that he did this, and also that they evacuated ahead of the crowds and are safe.

 

A friend who is having her wedding here in her home state on Saturday arrived in the state yesterday, just in time to help her elderly grandparents evacuate to safety.  Thank God.

 

An elementary school friend way up north has been told to prepare for quick evacuation.  She has lots of animals.  She is not going to be able to take them with her if she has to leave.

 

Another cousin, who lives in Santa Rosa, I can't seem to get any news of. 

 

(And in other news, there was a teensy little earthquake here in town yesterday or the day before.  No damage, but a big one at this point would be particularly difficult.  Praying it's not a foreshock.)

 

I'm not going to be around anymore for a while except to check the news.  I am far south of the fires and in no danger from them, so nobody should worry about this.  There are people I need to help now. 

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OMGosh. Someone I know is related to those first elderly deaths, the 98 year old and the 100 year old.

 

My Napa cousins' house was threatened, but a local contractor went up in to the ridge near their neighborhood and bulldozed a bunch of fire breaks, on his own, because no one else was doing it; saving a LOT of homes. Very, very thankful that he did this, and also that they evacuated ahead of the crowds and are safe.

 

A friend who is having her wedding here in her home state on Saturday arrived in the state yesterday, just in time to help her elderly grandparents evacuate to safety. Thank God.

 

An elementary school friend way up north has been told to prepare for quick evacuation. She has lots of animals. She is not going to be able to take them with her if she has to leave.

 

Another cousin, who lives in Santa Rosa, I can't seem to get any news of.

 

(And in other news, there was a teensy little earthquake here in town yesterday or the day before. No damage, but a big one at this point would be particularly difficult. Praying it's not a foreshock.)

 

I'm not going to be around anymore for a while except to check the news. I am far south of the fires and in no danger from them, so nobody should worry about this. There are people I need to help now.

Smart thinking by the contractor. Hopefully others are doing the same.

 

The fairgrounds in Santa Rosa is taking in large animals, FYI. I don't know if that will help your friend or not.

 

I've seen a lot of posts of social media by people who have rescued various animals and keeping them safe. It's always good to see humanity shine in times of distress.

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Entire city of Calistoga under mandatory evacuation.

 

“Authorities extend evacuation of Calistoga, all residents ordered to leave

 

Less than 12 hours after ordering a partial evacuation, fire officials in Calistoga are ordering all 5,000 residents to leave.

 

Officials issued the alert shortly before 3 p.m., telling all residents to leave and directing them to a shelter at American Canyon High School.“

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/authorities-extend-evacuation-of-calistoga-all-residents-ordered-to-leave/article_91aa402f-7f7d-5e2d-a735-1d5ac673b367.html

 

“CALISTOGA, Calif. (KGO) -- Mandatory evacuations are underway right now for the entire city of Calistoga as wildfires tear through wine country. Authorities are telling residents to get out now.

 

Cloud smoke and particles are flying over the town. Early Wednesday morning, emergency officials started going door to door, asking 2,000 residents to evacuateâ€

http://abc7news.com/city-of-calistoga-under-mandatory-evacuation-order/2520886/

 

ETA:

“5:23 Missing persons number update: Sonoma County sheriff’s officials say there are now 285 people still missing. There had been 600 reports, after officials weeded out duplicate reports. Of the 600, 315 people were located safely. Officials said if they cannot locate a missing person, they are checking the home where the person lived.â€

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Live-updates-Gusts-expected-to-fuel-Wine-Country-12269146.php

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The air quality is horrible down here.  It's gotten progressively worse all day and I can barely see the foothills behind my neighborhood now.  I can't imagine what it's like closer to the fires!

 

One of my neighbors has family that was evacuated from Santa Rosa staying with them so we dropped off some diapers, toys, and books for their kids.  Another neighbor had to crowdsource finding blood pressure medicine for her 94-year-old evacuee mother.  I'm absolutely heartbroken for everyone, and wish we could do more...

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Things have gotten really dodgy here, high winds getting worse. We are evacuating, heading to the coast and south. I'll check in when I can.  Hope everyone else in CA is safe.

 

Best to your and your family, Rose! You will hopefully be breathing better once you get near the coast.

 

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Thanks. It's so hard to know what's rumour and what's actually happening from far away.

 

Ugh, it would be such a huge loss to lose the town. :(

 

I am not all that far away (but safe) and I am frustrated with some of the news coverage as well - a lot of hype and short on factual details.

 

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“West Contra Costa Unified School District, Martinez Unified close all schools on Thursday

 

All schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District and Martinez Unified will be closed Thursday due to poor air quality caused by the Wine Country wildfires.

 

"In the best interests of the health and safety of our students and staff, we have made the decision to close schools on Thursday, October 12," WCCUSD Superintendent Matthew Duffy said in an announcement to community members.

 

All athletic activities and other after school activities have also been cancelled.

No decision has been made on whether schools will be closed Friday.

...

Martinez Unified Superintendent CJ Cammack also announced in a statement that all schools in the Martinez Unified District will be closed Thursday. He cited the "extremely poor air quality" from the expanding fires. Cammack said the district will revaluate air conditions Thursday to determine whether or not the closure should be extended until Friday.â€

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/West-Contra-Costa-Schools-Martinez-closed-fires-12271449.php

 

ETA:

“City of Sonoma

3 mins ·

The evacuation center at Sonoma High is in need of 100 more blankets for tonight. If you can help, please drop them by SVHSâ€

From their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CityOfSonoma/

 

ETA:

“Mount Diablo Unified School District, Martinez Unified School District, Pittsburg Unified School District and Antioch Unified School District have also closed schools on Thursday.

 

“We realize a sudden decision has an impact on our families in arranging child care and we truly regret any inconvenience and thank our parents and families for understanding,†said Pittsburg Unified School District spokeswoman Nicole Mora.

 

Antioch Superintendent Stephanie Anello in a message sent to school district families that at this point, Antioch schools are closed only Thursday, but the district may decide to close the schools on Friday if the fires continue burning and smoke remains bad.

 

“Please know that your child’s safety was the primary factor leading to this decision,†Anello said in the message. “Many of our students walk or ride their bike to and from school and will be exposed to the poor air quality even if we were to remain open and shelter in place as we did today.â€

 

Colleges, too, have planned to cancel classes and close campuses. Contra Costa Community College District, which operates Contra Costa, Diablo Valley, Los Medanos colleges across campuses in San Pablo, Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg, Brentwood and San Ramon, said late Wednesday evening that all the campuses would close on Thursday. Diablo Valley College will instead be used as an evacuation center for fire area evacuees, the district governing board said. â€

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/11/east-bay-schools-libraries-close-as-wildfire-smoke-spreads-across-the-bay-area/

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I am not all that far away (but safe) and I am frustrated with some of the news coverage as well - a lot of hype and short on factual details.

 

I go to the city and county websites and Facebook pages to verify if possible.

 

ETA:

From Napa County Facebook page

“Here is the most up to date map image at of 6:30 pm. The County website has been updated to reflect both an interactive map and a PDF. The maps can be found on the Napa County website at: http://www.countyofnapa.org/. Here is the direct link to the PDF: http://www.countyofnapa.org/2017NapaFireComplex/StatusMap/ “

Edited by Arcadia
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I go to the city and county websites and Facebook pages to verify if possible.

 

ETA:

From Napa County Facebook page

“Here is the most up to date map image at of 6:30 pm. The County website has been updated to reflect both an interactive map and a PDF. The maps can be found on the Napa County website at: http://www.countyofnapa.org/. Here is the direct link to the PDF: http://www.countyofnapa.org/2017NapaFireComplex/StatusMap/ “

 

You are right. I am listening to TV where they are all over the place with little actual info. I got better coverage from the New York Times online than local news!

Thank God you are posting here. As someone else said...you are a little news gathering ninja!  :lol:

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From Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Facebook page

“The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has issued a Mandatory Evacuation order for the following portions of eastern Sonoma Valley:

Castle Road north of Lovall Valley Road

7th Street East north of Lovall Valley Road

Residents are instructed to leave immediately.

For additional information, please contact Sonoma EOC 707-565-7043â€

https://www.facebook.com/sonoma.sheriff/posts/1737084552982777

 

“8:32 p.m. Mandatory evacuation ordered parts of eastern Sonoma Valley: Sonoma County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for Seventh Street East and Castle Road, both north of Lovall Valley Road. The evacuation area is about one mile from historic Sonoma Square and Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of the California Missions.â€

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Live-updates-23-dead-in-Wine-Country-fires-12271728.php

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You are right. I am listening to TV where they are all over the place with little actual info. I got better coverage from the New York Times online than local news!

Thank God you are posting here. As someone else said...you are a little news gathering ninja! :lol:

Yes, Arcadia, your updates are so appreciated. Thank you!

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Napa County Fire map updated as of 8:30am http://www.countyofnapa.org/2017NapaFireComplex/StatusMap/

 

Sonoma County list was updated at 3:22am http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety/Santa-Rosa-Fire-Evacuations/

 

CalFire’s list was updated last night. The latest evacuation added was River Rock Casino http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/admin8327985/cdf/images/incidentfile1867_2734.pdf

 

Ugh. The area where my folks live is now an "advisory evacuation area".

It does mean pack and be ready to leave. The whole city of Calistoga was evacuated yesterday after half of the city was on mandatory and half was on advisory evacuation hours earlier. Red flag warning north of me is until 5pm today.

 

CalFire’s website has an evacuation guide for wildfires that is quite good.

http://www.readyforwildfire.org/docs/files/File/calfire_go_brochure_LINOweb.pdf

 

Our California earthquake drill is on October 19th.

 

ETA:

Solano County Sheriff’s Office Facebook update

“***NEW: ATLAS FIRE UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 12, 2017 6:37 AM ***

 

WHAT'S NEW: No new updates at this timeâ€

 

ETA:

Santa Rosa city evacuation map https://srcity.org/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=17843

 

ETA:

“Sonoma County Sheriff's Office

Thursday October 12th, 2017 :: 10:03 a.m. PDT

 

There are 14 fire-related deaths.

 

We have 900 reports of missing people. 437 people have been located safely, and we are working on the remaining 463 reports.†https://local.nixle.com/alert/6203645/

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We are safe and sound in Half Moon bay staying with our best friends - the girls and I, dh stayed behind because he works for the Town of Windsor and is on call there, and also so that he could bring more stuff if evacuation became mandatory. He says things are quiet this morning. The air is much clearer here, although my friend just got a call from her kid's school saying they aren't letting the kids play outside today because of how bad the air is. If they only knew!  

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The air is much clearer here, although my friend just got a call from her kid's school saying they aren't letting the kids play outside today because of how bad the air is. If they only knew!

Half Moon Bay is lovely. There is a horse ranch there. We love watching the horses when we go to the beaches there.

 

The local districts are worried about the students with asthma and other health issues. We can smell the smoke all the way down to Alviso area (Great America, Levi’s Stadium).

Oakland unified is allowing parents to keep their children home as an excused absence.

 

Palo Alto Unified School District’s notice

“The wellness and safety of our students is of the utmost priority to us and we want to make sure that students, especially students with health conditions, are indoors and not exposed to the smoke unnecessarily.

 

We are also recommending that students do not walk or ride their bike to school tomorrow, to avoid prolonged exposure outside. Since it is a spare the air day, please try to coordinate carpooling. Students with inhalers should keep them on hand at all times.“

https://www.pausd.org/explore-pausd/news/air-quality-notification

 

ETA:

Hope your husband gets to join you to take a rest day. Also hoping that your home and your husband’s workplace doesn’t become part of mandatory evacuation zones.

Edited by Arcadia
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Will they leave? Mine won't ("it's just fine!").

 

Hoping your in laws stay safe. :grouphug:

 

They haven't yet, but are prepared.  It seems ok for now, but they won't take any chances if it starts looking bad.

 

eta:  our families may live near each other -- Healdsburg?  They are kind of in between two fires.  Hope your family stays safe, too.

Edited by amsunshine
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Sonoma County Sheriff's office just streamed a briefing. The sheriff said they are moving into recovery phase and they do not have anything contained which is just mind boggling to me. Over 400 national guard troops are in the area and firefighters from every corner have been diverted to Sonoma / Napa. They seem to throw everything they got at it and new fires are still starting. Hard to grasp.

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eta: our families may live near each other -- Healdsburg? They are kind of in between two fires.

If your family is In Healdsburg, it’s still looking good there.

 

From the city’s Facebook page (you don’t need a Facebook account to check, updates are public)

“Good Thursday Morning, Healdsburg. A quick update on the fire situation: There is no change in status for the city. Healdsburg remains safe from fire at this time and the evacuation advisory (NOT mandatory) is still in effect. Light winds are coming from the north, with stronger gusts at higher elevations, but firefighters are beginning to contain some of the fires, including the Tubbs Fire and Pocket Fire.

We understand that some of you have voluntarily evacuated. Please know that we have all of our Healdsburg law enforcement officers on duty to protect the City and are looking after your homes as if they were their own.

Also, we understand that we not only have firefighters from across California, but from out of state and even from out of country. We are also getting a lot of air support, and you’ll see a lot of air traffic in the next few days as they battle the fires. So, a big thank you to our Healdsburg firefighters, all firefiighters, and law enforcement fighting the good fight!“

https://www.facebook.com/cityofhealdsburg/

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They haven't yet, but are prepared. It seems ok for now, but they won't take any chances if it starts looking bad.

 

eta: our families may live near each other -- Healdsburg? They are kind of in between two fires. Hope your family stays safe, too.

Mine is in Santa Rosa.

 

They are preparing to leave; filled one car up to store at a friend's just in case and finally making overnight plans just in case. Hopefully they won't be too stubborn. All the near misses in the news have me pretty shaken, KWIM?

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Mine is in Santa Rosa.

 

They are preparing to leave; filled one car up to store at a friend's just in case and finally making overnight plans just in case. Hopefully they won't be too stubborn. All the near misses in the news have me pretty shaken, KWIM?

 

Oh, wow, they are close to the Tubbs fire.  After having lived through the big fires we've had here in San Diego County, I get very nervous about them.  I hope they do leave and their home stays safe.

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Sonoma County Sheriff's office just streamed a briefing. The sheriff said they are moving into recovery phase and they do not have anything contained which is just mind boggling to me..

This is what he probably meant by recovery phase :(

 

“SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires in California (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

Officials say recovery teams, some with cadaver dogs, will start searching for bodies in some areas devastated by wildfires raging in California wine country.

Sonoma County Sheriff Robert Giordano says officials are investigating hundreds of reports of missing people and that recovery teams will start doing targeted searches for bodies Thursday. He warns that identification may be difficult and take some time.

He says officials have found some bodies almost completely intact but other remains are "nothing more than ash and bones."

Giordano says at least 14 people have been killed Sonoma County, raising the death toll to 24.â€

http://www.middletownpress.com/news/crime/article/The-Latest-Blaze-in-Sierra-Nevada-destroys-12272449.php

 

“Sheriff County Sheriff Robert Giordano said “target searches†using 30 search and rescue team members and cadaver dogs would begin within the burn area on Thursday.

 

“We are moving into a recovery phase,†he said. “What we are doing is, we are working the missing persons through their family, through conventional contacts, phones other addresses. As that case leads us to no further information — our next step is going that person’s house in the fire zone and try to find them.â€â€

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/10/12/residents-flee-as-wildfire-has-geyserville-in-its-gun-sights/

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Silver Fire in Fresno County started yesterday late afternoon and is 40% contained.

 

“Silver Fire Incident Information:

Last Updated: October 12, 2017 9:41 am

Date/Time Started: October 11, 2017 3:59 pm

Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Fresno-Kings Unit

County: Fresno County

Location: Elwood Road and Silver Lane, northwest of Squaw Valley

Acres Burned - Containment: 50 acres - 40% contained. Forward progress stopped

Structures Destroyed: 3

Evacuations: All evacuations lifted.

Road Closures: All road closures lifted.â€

http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1891

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Just updating this list

 

Napa County

Tubbs Fire 44,881 acres - 60% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1867

Atlas Fire 51,057 acres - 65% contained (Oct 15th) http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1866

 

Sonoma County

NUNS / ADOBE / NORBBOM/ PRESSLEY / PARTRICK FIRES (CENTRAL LNU COMPLEX) 48,627 acres - 40% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1868

Pocket Fire 11,889 acres - 30% contained (Oct 15th)http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1883

 

Mendocino County

Redwood Complex (Redwood/Potter Fire) 35,800 acres - 45% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1874

 

Butte County

Cherokee Fire 8,417 acres - 95% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1865

La Porte Fire 6,151 acres - 90% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1870

Honey Fire 150 acres - 95% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1880

 

Yuba County

Cascade Fire 9,989 acres - 94% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1871

 

Nevada County

McCourtney Fire 76 acres - 100% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1872

Lobo Fire 821 acres - 97% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1877

 

Calaveras County

Point Fire 130 acres - 100% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1875

 

Lake County

Sulphur Fire 2,207 - 80% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1876

 

Fresno County

Silver Fire 58 acres - 100% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1891

 

Orange County

Canyon 2 Fire 9,217 acres - 90% contained (Oct 15th) http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1881

Edited by Arcadia
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Mine is in Santa Rosa.

 

They are preparing to leave; filled one car up to store at a friend's just in case and finally making overnight plans just in case. Hopefully they won't be too stubborn. All the near misses in the news have me pretty shaken, KWIM?

 

I just talked to SIL in West Santa Rosa. If you want to post or PM me what corner your family is in, I may know something as SIL gave me a run down on where the danger zones are.

The encouraging news was that the wind is not as strong as originally predicted.

In the Bennet Valley area, firefighters did a successful back burn (but did not notify people and some residents were really scared) and seem to be holding that line.

The Oakmont area is still evacuated as the fire is on the hill but has not reached the lower Oakmont community.

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