UPDATE 7/25/24 8:45 p.m. – This article is no longer being updated. Please see tonight’s update here.
UPDATE 7/25/24 6:52 p.m. – The Mendocino County Fairgrounds is operating as a temporary evacuation location per the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
UPDATE 7/25/24 6:42 P.M. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reports that Highway 128 is fully closed from the Philo Store to Mountain View Road. Please avoid the area. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.
UPDATE 7/25/24 6:41 P.M. – United Disaster Relief of Northern California, 1240 Airport Blvd., Ukiah, will be open on Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. will be open to assist evacuees. Call (707) 489-3970 for more information.
UPDATE 7/25/24 6:28 P.M. – Mendocino County’s National Public Radio affiliate reports that its Philo studio has lost power and it is working to restore power as soon as possible. The station is broadcasting on KMUD for the time being.
UPDATE 7/25/24 6:04 P.M. – Mendocino County Animal Care Services announced that evacuees can bring dogs, cats and small pets to the Ukiah Animal Shelter (298 Plant Rd., Ukiah) for shelter. Please call (707) 513-7604 upon arrival or if you have questions.
Livestock can be sheltered at the Boonville Fairgrounds. Please call (707) 272-2299 for livestock needs.
UPDATE 7/25/24 5:42 P.M. – Mendocino MCN, an internet provider based in Mendocino, reports that coastal fiber internet is out due to the Grange Fire.
The Anderson Valley Health Center is open to support evacuees.
UPDATE 7/25/24 5:21 P.M. – Power is out for 1,161 PG&E customers along Highway 128 from Yorkville to Philo. The outage was first reported at 5:04 p.m. Thursday. PG&E reports that power should be restored by 10:15 p.m. tonight, however, that may change due to the Grange Fire.
MENDOCINO CO., 7/25/24 – Fire crews are fighting a wildfire between Philo and Boonville in Anderson Valley. According to Cal Fire, the fire was first reported around 3:38 p.m. on Thursday afternoon in the 9800 block of California State Highway 128. The fire has been named the Grange Fire due to its proximity to the Anderson Valley Grange. Cal Fire reports that the fire has burned an estimated 50 acres as of 5 p.m.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order for zone MEN-3BON01. The sheriff asks residents to evacuate immediately. Areas include Peachland Avenue, the Indian Creek Road subdivision, Denmark Road and Vista Ranch Road.
Evacuation warnings (as opposed to an order, which must be obeyed immediately) are in place for zones MEN-03PLO02, MEN-03PLO01, MEN-3BON02 and MEN-3BON03. The sheriff asks that people should prepare to evacuate at any moment by gathering belongings, checking on neighbors and leaving as early as possible. The office also asks that those evacuating not block the roads and allow emergency vehicles to pass. Residents can visit mendoready.org for more information.
According to Caltrans, Highway 128 is fully closed near Boonville between mile markers 25 and 26.
Note: Sarah Stierch covers breaking news, weather, food, fun and more for The Mendocino Voice. Contact Stierch at sarah@mendovoice.com. The Voice and Bay City News retains editorial control.
Why is 128 still open ? My daughter is traveling home and just drove into a through active fire on 128 near Philo, I lost contact with her on the phone.