UPDATE 8/1/26 —A wildfire in southern Mendocino County grew to 841 acres on Saturday and prompted a smoke advisory from health officials in neighboring Sonoma County.
Smoke from the fire may render air quality in parts of northern Sonoma County “unhealthy,” the county health officer said in an advisory issued Saturday night.
“Certain people may experience adverse health effects from the smoke over Sonoma County and across the region,” the health warning said.
It urged people to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, particularly older adults, pregnant people, children and individuals with heart or lung conditions.
MENDOCINO CO., 8/1/26 —U.S. Highway 101 in southern Mendocino County reopened Saturday night after being closed for hours by a wildfire that continued to grow, reaching at least 841 acres.
The Feliz Fire in the Hopland area, which prompted a series of evacuation orders and warnings from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, was 5% contained as of 9 p.m., Cal Fire said.
U.S. 101 was fully open from Largo Road to Hewlett Sturtevant Road, Caltrans said. Motorists were asked to use caution in the area as emergency vehicles entered and left the roadway.
Evacuation warnings were in place from County Road 110 to Duncan Springs, southwest of Hopland. Deputies earlier issued an evacuation order from Sarcina Vineyards to Feliz Creek Road.
“Incredible response — land and air — from throughout the region,” state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Ukiah, said on social media, referring to engines, bulldozers and hand crews from Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties.
“Multiple air resources are also hitting the incident hard and additional air attack resources are on the way from throughout the North State,” McGuire said.
Three night-flying helicopters were ordered to the area to help with the firefight, Cal Fire said.
The Feliz Fire was first reported at 40 acres in the area of Feliz Creek Road about 3:40 p.m.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The county is responsible for shelters during disasters per government code. Where are they? Where is Red Cross? Thank you to Hopland Academy, MCOE, Danilla and the Coyote Valley Tribe for taking care of the displaced citizens. Really sad the safety place, a shelter, was a moving target for evacuees.
They spent all the money on themselves, stop deluding yourself to believe they care and will save you.
About the Feliz Fire, I want to say thank you to all of the firefighters, medics and law-inforceament etc. for doing a great job and being on top of the fire from the start. You are very much appreciated and I send you all prayers and blessings and God be with you as he blesses you and your families and I am praying for the people whom are being affected by the fire. I send you my love and care to everyone. Thank you, Cheryl
Did any houses burn?