Oak Fire burns near Willits
The Oak Fire started just after noon on Labor Day, Sept. 7, and quickly grew due to windy, dry conditions. The incident location is stated as 5 miles north of Willits, west of Highway 101, near the intersection of Big John and Skyview roads, in the Brooktrails township and the City of Willits.
Due to the threat of at least 3,400 structures, immediate evacuations for the Brooktrails area were issued and Sherwood Road became jammed with cars full of panicked people and pets. One structure has been confirmed destroyed. Nearby neighbors said they saw flames, then heard a big explosion, and several small explosions followed. First Gate Road resident, Joseph Haggard said he heard yelling across the canyon, then saw flames and called 911. “The first bomber on the scene did an amazing job of dropping retardants in good spots to slow the spread,” said Haggard. “It could have been much worse.”
The rapid growth of the fire calmed overnight as the winds died down. As of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, CAL FIRE reported that the fire was 863 acres and 5 percent contained. Highway 101 between the north bypass and State Route 162 (Covelo Road) is still closed, with no estimated time for reopening. Reports indicate that the fire is moving north and east of the township of Brooktrails, it was confirmed that the fire did jump Highway 101 and so far has burnt about 30 acres on
that side. Multiple structures are still threatened and evacuations are still being enforced, because wind and fire conditions could change rapidly.
According to CAL Fire, firefighters are continuing to fight the fire and additional resources have been requested and are responding. The fire is burning in a mix of grass, brush, oak and pine trees, and has reportedly been difficult to access. “Firefighters have been working in extreme conditions; high heat, low humidity, with the potential for erratic winds. Firefighters are aggressively utilizing resources to construct containment lines and defend structures.
As of press time, there were 18 engines, four water tenders, two helicopters, four hand crews, four dozers and 28 support staff on the fire, for a total of 232 personnel. “Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are available for fire suppression missions as needed and conditions allow,” said CAL FIRE.
Fort Bragg warily watches
Fort Bragg City Manager Tabatha Miller said Tuesday afternoon that the city’s police department had dispatched two officers to help with evacuation plans at the request of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, and would likely continue with that assistance through Friday.
“Obviously, we are monitoring it and its movement,” Miller said. “At this point, it looks to be good for us and bad for the folks on the northeast side of it,” as the winds move in that direction, she said.
However, as a direct result of the closure of Highway 101, north of Willits, traffic has been diverted to the coast, and directly through Fort Bragg.
“Traffic is much heavier than normal,” she said. ‘There’s nothing to do but be patient.”
Miller also said the city plans to monitor Pacific Gas & Electric’s planned safety power shutoffs, which so far, have not affected Fort Bragg. A backup generator was installed a few weeks ago, and though it is currently untested, she said, it’s expected to be able to power the city for several days in the case of a blackout, and may include some areas outside of Fort Bragg proper.
For up-to-date local information, the Fort Bragg Police Department’s Facebook page is posting reliable information as often as possible, Miller said.
For now, Miller said it’s important to have a gobag ready and plans for communication with family members in place — in case the fire should shift.
“No one can tell you, until it happens, which way to go,” she said. “But you can go quite a ways north and quite a ways south. Plan ahead and think about these things.”
Evacuation zones set up at local schools
Evacuations centers are set up at both Willits High School and Baechtel Grove Middle School. Animals shelters are set up at the high school Ag Farm (small animals and livestock) and Willits Horsemen’s Arena (large livestock). Fire evacuees under COVID-19 quarantine are instructed to call the Mendocino County Public Health office at (707) 472-2676. Those with motorhomes have been invited to park in the Adventist Health Howard Memorial hospital parking lot, and the American Red Cross is helping evacuees find shelter.
Cooperating agencies helping stamp out the Oak Fire include North Bay Incident Management Team, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Anderson Valley Fire, Brooktrails Fire, Fort Bragg Police Department, Little Lake Fire, Mendocino Fire, Redwood Valley Fire, Westport Fire, MedStar Ambulance, California Highway Patrol, Willits Police Department, Caltrans and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.