This is a developing situation. Updated information will be published at the top of this article.
UPDATE, 4:33 P.M., 10/2/24 – According to the Sheriff’s Office, all evacuation warnings have been lifted for the Potter Valley. Residents are allowed to return and are asked to use caution for any first responders working in the area. Find tips on returning after an evacuation order from Cal Fire here.
UPDATE, 4:20 p.m., 10/2/24 – School buses are running in a limited capacity due to the Potter Fire, said the Potter Valley Unified School District in a statement to families Wednesday afternoon. Buses are only running in the valley. Students that live outside the valley are remaining on campus until conditions improve. All sports activities are canceled.
MENDOCINO CO., 10/2/24 – Fire agencies are responding to a wildfire in an unincorporated area of Mendocino County, northeast of Ukiah, between Redwood and Potter valleys.
The fire, called the Potter Fire, is burning near state Highway 20 and Potter Valley Road, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office asks that people avoid the area.
At 2:37 p.m., an evacuation warning was issued for Elledge Ranch Road, which is in evacuation zone MEN-2UKV07-B. Residents should be ready to evacuate at any moment, gather belongings and check in on neighbors as soon as possible, says the Sheriff’s Office. Those that require additional time to evacuate, or with pets and livestock, should leave immediately.
Small animals can be evacuated to the Mendocino County Animal Shelter, 298 Plant Rd., Ukiah. Large animals are being evacuated to the Mendocino County Fair 14400 Highway 128, Boonville.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Highway 20 is closed from Marina Drive to Potter Valley Road.
The Sheriff’s Office asks residents to visit https://mendoready.org/ to learn how to be emergency ready in Mendocino County and http://readyforwildfire.org to learn about wildfire readiness.