Fire death toll now at 42; 2 more ID’d from Santa Rosa; firefighters make gains on Sonoma, Napa county fires
Here is a quick take on the latest updates of wildfires in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and other counties.
5:45 p.m.
A pair of public meetings are planned for Thursday in Sonoma and Santa Rosa to address residents re-entering burned neighborhoods, the cleanup process for damaged and destroyed properties and the search for replacement housing. Local governments are advising residents that improper handling of fire debris can be harmful to personal and public health. Small scale sifting through ashes to locate personal items will not impact residents’ qualification for financial assistance. Large-scale, private removal of debris and ashes requires coordination with government officials.
The two meetings are set for 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 1st Street West; and 6 to 8 p.m. at Santa Rosa High School’s gym, 1235 Mendocino Ave. The meetings will include question and answer sessions.
3 p.m.
Mandatory evacuations have been lifted for the Rincon Valley, Skyhawk and Los Alamos areas of Santa Rosa. This includes all evacuated areas north of Highway 12, east of Calistoga Road to Melita Road outside the fire perimeter.
Calistoga Road at Harville Road remains closed.
2:15 p.m.
The city of Santa Rosa advises that for residents returning home to:
Adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings.
Watch for trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, as they should be considered hazardous.
Drive slowly, don’t text and drive, and yield to emergency personnel in the area.
Evaluate damage, and be aware hazardous conditions may exist, particularly if a residence or outbuilding has burned. Hazards may include asbestos, heavy metals, by-products of plastic combustion and various other chemicals.
Check for embers in the attic, which may have entered through vents.
Anticipate firefighters and other heavy equipment working throughout the fire area.
Call 911 if you don’t feel safe or see an emergency.
2:10 p.m.
A coalition of private and public legal organizations have created a free hotline in an effort to provide legal aide to fire victims across the state.
The hotline number is 415-575-3120. Callers can also leave a message. Spanish and Chinese language attorneys will be on the hotline, too.
The attorneys on the hotline will be able to guide victims through a variety of legal issues with a focus on the following:
Landlord tenant legal issues
Life, medical and property insurance issues
Emergency aid applications (FEMA)
Home repair contracts
Mortgage foreclosure issues
Replacement of wills and other important legal documents.
Additional legal resources related to disasters can be found on the State Bar’s website here.
In addition to the State Bar-run hotline, there are two others for Napa and Sonoma counties. The Bay Area Legal Aid’s Legal Advice Hotline, 800-551-5554, is the number for Napa County residents. Additionally, The Healthcare Consumer Center’s line, 855-693-7285, has been set up to aid Sonoma and Napa county residents with medical insurance coverage issues, prescription coverage issues and for those who have relocated out of state.
2 p.m.
The identities of two more Santa Rosa residents killed by the North Coast fires were released Wednesday.
They are, Monte Neil Kirven, 81, and Marilyn Carol Ress, 71.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said there are 50 people missing.
A total of 23 fatalities in Sonoma County from the fires have been reported.
1:18 p.m.
Santa Rosa Junior College will reopen Monday, Oct. 23 All classes and activities will resume at both the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses, and sites in southwest Santa Rosa, Shone Farm in Forestville and Public Safety Training Center in Windsor.
Also resuming are online classes, Community Education, Old Adults and Adult Education Classes.
1:05 p.m.
Mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the following areas in Napa County will be lifted at 2. p.m.:
Monticello Road between Vichy Avenue and Wooden Valley Road. Checkpoints will remain in place along Monticello Road to allow access to residents only;
Wild Horse Valley Road will reopen to residents; and
Dry Creek Road from Orchard Avenue to 4591 Dry Creek Road will reopen to residents.
The road closure and mandatory evacuation Order will remain in place north of 4591 Dry Creek Road.
12:05 p.m.
The death toll from the North Bay fires is now 42.
The breakdown by county is Sonoma County 23 deaths, all from the Tubbs fire, Mendocino County 8, Napa County 7 and Yuba County 4.
The remains of the latest Sonoma County death was reported from the Fountaingrove neighborhood.
12 p.m.
The Better Business Bureau offers several tips for those rebuilding after the North Bay fires.
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