CALFIRE Situation Summary
*Wallbridge 54,940 acres, 85% contained
*Meyers 2,360 acres, 100% contained
*1,685 structures destroyed
*Evacuations in place This morning the Dry Creek area was down graded to evacuation warning. Here is the Nixle for details.
The LNU lightening complex goes into the record books for the 3rd largest wildfire in history, the 10th most destructive and the 19th deadliest.
Over the weekend a team of 10 Israeli firefighters have deployed to California to assist in battling some of the largest wildfires in the state's history.
See Supervisor Gore's newsletter from this AM.
Destruction: Preliminary data for the number of structures damaged or destroyed in the Walbridge/Meyers fires are being gathered. As of Wednesday morning, September 2 the total number of structures destroyed in the Walbridge and Meyers fires was 295. Of these, 120 are single family homes, 14 are mobile homes and eight are RVs that were occupied as dwellings. The total number of structures assessed was 800. (Of those, 550 are undamaged.) Note: This number is preliminary and likely to change daily.
Here is the Structure Damage Status Map
This means you can now return home at your own risk. These areas are still at risk from the fires in the area. We recommend you stay home for the day once you arrive. There's going to be a lot of traffic in the area so please drive safely; our priority is getting everyone home safely.
The burn area is under a Public Health Order due to hazards created by the fire. The order is available at the Local Assistance Center and online at socoemergency.org. Please follow County Health recommendations, especially if you're returning to burned property. Read health safety tips.
Continue to follow the instructions of first responders in the area and make sure to listen for hi-lo sirens if fire conditions change. Use extreme caution when around any burned areas that may be present. The burn area is under a Public Health Order due to health hazards
created by the fire.
Please be advised that areas nearest the fire may have had PG&E services temporarily disrupted while the fire was being fought. PGE&E is working around the clock to restore services to all its unaffected customers. If you have questions about your gas or power check the PG&E website for information. You can also call 1(800)743-5000. If you come across any downed power lines treat them as live and call 911 and then PG&E.
The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings. A reminder to drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel.
Go to socoemergency.org or call 2-1-1 if you have questions. For tips to return safely to your home click here. You may also visit , type in your address, and see the evacuation status of your property.
Local Assistance Centers (LAC)
Residents affected by the Walbridge and Meyers Fires can access recovery services and resources at two Local Assistance Centers (LAC) that open Saturday, Aug. 29. A Guerneville LAC is at the Bank of America (16390 Main St.) and a Healdsburg LAC is at the Healdsburg High School gym (1024 Prince St.).
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 4. The LACs may remain open after this date if needed.
Both LACs will provide the same resources. Government agencies and non-profit organizations will be available in-person and virtually to answer questions, refer residents to helpful recovery resources and take applications to determine eligibility for programs and benefits.
Spanish interpretation will be available. Services are open to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
For more information about the LACs, go to https://socoemergency.org/walbridge-meyers-lac/.
Air Quality Still Poor
Air quality in many parts of the county is unhealthy due to the smoke from wildfires. In our area it is thought the smoke is from the August Complex fire in Mendocino. Please stay indoors as much as possible when air quality is poor to protect your health during wildfires. This is especially critical for children, women who are pregnant, older adults, and people with existing lung and heart conditions who may be particularly sensitive to changes in air quality. Go here for information on air quality in your area. Ideally wear your N95 if you go outside because it is most effective against particulate matter from smoke or any other mask if you don't have one.
Insurance Information United Policyholders
If you're one of the many Californians who are having trouble keeping or finding affordable home insurance, United Policyholders is offering a free online shopping help workshop on Thursday 4PM September 3rd, 2020.
Please click on the date below to pre-register for this event.
Keeping Your Home Protected
When Insurance Options Are Limited
This webinar will cover:
what to do if your insurer drops you and you need to replace your policy
insurance facts disaster victims wish they'd known before their loss
shopping tips
Panelists:
Amy Bach, Insurance consumer advocate and UP Co-Founder
Phil Irwin, Independent Agent, California Fair Plan representative
Joel Laucher, CA Dept. of Insurance
California Insurance Commissioner
As we combat the unprecedented wildfires throughout the state, it is imperative for consumers to have the most up to date information on resources and information on how to access their insurance. To help inform consumers and answer their questions, CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will hold a Virtual Town Hall on Zoom and Facebook Live. The event is scheduled for Friday, September 4th at 1:30PM. For details.
HALTER Project Info
The newest newsletter is for National Disaster Preparedness Month- September! It is chock-full of great info. Here are the highlights:
August has been filled with challenges: Mega-wildfires, a massive, (and spooky), wind event, a historic hurricane, and yet another month of COVID complexities. And now... it's September already!
We're here to help you prepare for whatever comes your way. This edition of HALTER NewsNotes includes a refresher on prep for extended power outages and important information for Animal Evac in COVID, ways to support our animal disaster response teams, and relief resources for farmers and ranchers.
And, we're really excited to announce our 2020 Home & Ranch Readiness Summit - the Virtual Experience! It's everything you've loved about our live events, with the bonus of being able to attend whenever you like! Terrific speakers, demonstrations, and a film festival's worth of engaging preparedness videos. The Home & Ranch Readiness Virtual Experience premieres in September on our website, HALTERproject.org
There are likely to be more challenging months ahead. We challenge YOU to inspire others by doing all you can to keep yourself and your animals safe and ready, and to help less-able neighborhood and community members. Stay safe and strong!
We're really in this together, getting READY for WHATEVER.
Leadership Meeting Notes
Please see the notes from the last meeting in August. Many thanks to our notetaker who steadfastly continues the task! If you are a COPE community leader or from a community based organization that is interested in emergency preparedness, please join us! The September meeting will be an excellent opportunity to debrief from the fires and share timely information. We meet the third Monday of every month via Zoom. The next meeting will be September 21st at 3:30-5PM. Details to follow.
We are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For Hopi Elders' Prophecy, June 2000
“You have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered…
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your truth. Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for your leader.
Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, “This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves! Banish the word ’struggle’ from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
