Oak Fire now 90% contained, remains at 1100 acres — all evacuations orders and warnings lifted (updated 8:30 pm)

UPDATE 9/13/20, 8:30 p.m. — Containment on the Oak Fire is now at 90%, all evacuations were lifted this afternoon, and Cal Fire will be turning over management of the fire to the Mendocino unit starting Monday morning. Fire crews will remain in the area, focusing on mopping up, and secure and improve the containment lines, and so residents should take caution on the roads as there may be work vehicles. In addition, there are some areas where fuels still “holding heat,” and so smoke may be visible.

Cal Fire has completed their assessment of the damage done by the blaze, listed as 31 structures destroyed, 25 minor structures destroyed, and one minor structure damaged. However, this incident report does not specify the number of major structures as in the morning report — we will follow up with Cal Fire to clarify.

Residents with questions about the fire or their residence can contact the Emergency Operations Center at 707-234-6052. The county’s fire recovery website can be found here, and Sheriff Kendall’s video about returning home after a wildfire can be found below:

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Here’s the full Cal Fire incident evening update.

https://twitter.com/CALFIRE_MEU/status/1305324211183915010/photo/1

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WILLITS, 9/13/20 — The Oak Fire north of Brooktrails remains very stable at 1100 acres and now with 75% containment. With such great progress on the fire all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted in that area. That is, all evacuation orders and warnings that were put in place as a result of the Oak Fire have now been lifted, and very good containment lines are in place to protect that community.

The fire itself is largely out, though some hotspots remain, especially in the northern areas of the fire. Firefighters are going direct on some sections, and continue to mop up the fire.

Structure destruction numbers remain the same with five major structures (likely homes) destroyed, 20 minor structures (mostly outbuildings) destroyed, and 22 structures damaged.

Here is the Mendocino County Evacuation Map:

Here’s the press release from the MCSO:

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DATE:  “September 13, 2020”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number:
2020-22310

Joint Press Release between the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, CALFIRE and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office

Crime/Incident:
Oak Fire in Willits, CA
Location:
Willits and Brooktrails, CA
Date of Incident:
09-13-2020
Time:
12:00 PM
Victim(s):
N/A
Suspect(s):
N/A
Written By:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten  #1184

Synopsis:
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, CALFIRE and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is announcing that ALL Evacuation Orders and Warnings have been LIFTED in regards to the Oak Fire in Willits, California.

This includes the previous Zones identified as being:

Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11 and Zone 12.

ALL road closures in the Oak Fire affected areas have also been LIFTED.

Be aware there may be traffic interruptions due to fire crews and utility workers still operating in the area.  Unburned pockets of fuel continue to burn within the interior of the fire and smoke may be visible.

View the most current evacuation map at:  https://tinyurl.com/MendoEvac

For electrical safety tips after a wildfire, refer to PG&E at:  https://tinyurl.com/y7dny9tt

For more information about wildfire preparedness visit:  www.readyforwildfire.org

Approved by:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten  #1184