UPDATE 11:55 a.m. — There is currently one lane now open on Sherwood, according to the Willits Police Department.
WILLITS, 4/17/19 — Sherwood Road in Willits is currently blocked in the 23000 block, due to a downed power line, less than a mile from the intersection with Highway 101 in Willits. There is no current estimate of when it will be re-opened. California Highway Patrol is on the scene but removing the power pole may take several hours. Currently, traffic is significantly backed up and drivers are being re-routed down Sherwood Road north towards Laytonville, although portions of that road may not be in great condition after significant winter rains.
Willits Police have sent an emergency Nixel alert notifying people of the incident. Readers near the scene report that nearby traffic is “a mess;” please avoid the area unless necessary to allow emergency responders to the scene. The CHP incident page states that CHP and Willits PD are on the scene, PG&E has been contacted and that a tow vehicle is also on the way as of the time of publication.
With Sherwood blocked so close to Willits, a significant number of readers are effectively unable to get in and out of Brooktrails, due to a lack of second access road. One reader noted that incidents such as these highlight the importance of a second access road in Brooktrails, something that has long been discussed in the context of wildfires.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.