Some Lake County residents return to destroyed homes
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- The fire danger is decreasing in Lake County. Some residents are being allowed to go back to their homes, now that crews are getting a better handle on the Rocky Fire.
However, some are finding there is nothing really to come back home to. ABC7 News spoke with residents who saw the damage for the first time.
"You see the beams, this was a factory built home. They're all twisted..."
PHOTOS: ABC7 News at the Rocky Fire in Lake County
All Wayne Fischer can do is look at what's left of his sprawling home, one that burned in a matter of minutes as the Rocky Fire swooped in from two different directions. He saw the beams and twisted metal left behind.
Fischer told ABC7 News, "We didn't have any time at all. I think if we had stayed, we wouldn't be here right now. There would've been no place to go, so I'm glad my wife and I had enough sense to jump in the car and get out of here."
Gov. Jerry Brown visited the Rocky Fire and met with fire officials there. At a press conference, he said, "Fasten your seatbelts, there's going to be a rough ride here."
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Surrounded by some of the 3,000 firefighters working on the fire, the governor warned this massive event could just be the prelude to many more.
"I think this is kind of the beginning of the fire season. It is the beginning and it's acting like the end. So we have a real challenge in California," Brown said.
"We have 14 National Guard crews, hand crews have been activated. Each crew has 20 individuals. So they have started showing up here in Lake County and other fires in Northern California," St. Sen. Mike McGuire, D-San Rafael said.
As firefighters work to douse hotspots, Cal Fire reports the Rocky Fire is now 45 percent contained, but there is still concern, warm and windy weather ahead could produce more trouble.
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"We know there's a lightning storm coming over the next several days throughout Northern California. We're anticipating that so we're moving resources and preparing in anticipation of that," Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott said.
Fischer has already lost everything and at this point, isn't sure what to do next.
"Just wondering if we should rebuild, or not. Everything's burned around us pretty much, so we're probably safe from major fire for a while," Fischer said.
As the temperatures go up over the next couple of days, so does the concern for flare-ups.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS
As of 10.m. Friday 8/7 the following streets will be removed from the evacuation order. Paradise Canyon, New Long Valley Road, Old Long Valley Road, Salt Canyon, Indian Hill Road, Flaming Hills Lane, Red Rock Road, Red Rock Court, Round Mountain Road, Fern Way, Juniper Way, Holly Way, Golden Red Way, Shasta Road, Cougar Road, Jeep Trail, Smith Lane, Pueblo Trail, Quail Trail, Meadow Creek Road, Cache Creek Road, Wolf Creek Road, Spring Valley Road, Riverview Road, Rocky Ridge, Chalk Mountain Road, Cache Creek Winery, Elm Way, Dogwood, Cedar, Blue Berry, Acacia Way, Acacia Street, Doe Trail, Madrone Way, Peach Way, Quince Way, Redwood Way, Sequoia Way, Tamarack Way, Weeping Willow Way, Yucca Way, Coyote Way, Elk Way and Fox Way.
Mandatory: Double Eagle Ranch, New Long Valley Road, homes along Highway 20 corridor between New Long Valley Road and east of the county line, Sky High Ranch Rd, Rocky Creek Rd, Dam Rd from the gate to the dam, Grizzly Canyon, Long Branch Drive, Lance Rd, Cougar Rd, Meridian Rd, Antelope Rd, Mule Skinner Rd, Flint Look Place, Moccasin Rd, Roundball Rd, Watertrough Rd, Grigsby Canyon, Lucky Canyon, Remington Canyon, Walker Ridge Rd, No Guns Rd, Meriann Drive, Wilbur Springs Rd and Morgan Valley Rd X Butte Creek Rd, Spring Valley, Paradise Canyon, New Long Valley Rd, Old Long Valley Rd, Salt Canyon, Indian Hill Rd, Flaming Hills Ln, Benmore Canyon, Red Rock Rd, Red Rock Court, Round Mountain Rd North West of Highway 22, Fern Way, Juniper Way, Holly Way, Golden Red Way, Shasta Rd, Jeep Trail, Smith Ln, Pueblo Trail, Quail Trail, Ogulin Canyon Rd, Meadow Creek Rd, Cache Creek Rd, Wolf Creek Rd, Spring Valley Rd, Riverview Rd, Rocky Ridge, Chalk Mountain Rd, Lakeview Campground, Cache Creek Winery, Noggle Winery, Elm Way, Dogwood, Cedar, Blue Berry, Acacia Way, Acacia Street, Doe Trail, Madrone Way, Peach Way, Quince Way, Redwood Way, Sequoia Way, Tamarack Way, Weeping Willow Way, Yucca Way, Coyote Way, Elk Way and Fox Way.
ADVISORY EVACUATIONS
Clearlake area east of Highway 53 from Dam Rd to Highway 20 and Highway 53 west to Sulphur Bank Rd along Highway 20.
EVACUATION CENTERS
Middletown High School, Kelseyville High School, Upper Lake Middle School
Animal Evacuation Centers: Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection (707) 263-0278
Animal Evacuation Centers: Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection 707-263-0278
ROAD CLOSURES
Highway 20 will be closed from Highway 16 to Highway 53, both directions of Ogulin Canyon Road and Highway 16 is closed from Highway 20 to County Road 41 in Yolo County.
Safety Message:
If there are electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact PG&E immediately. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous. Please drive slowly as emergency personnel are in the area. Subject to Change Based on Operational Conditions.
Once a wildfire has burned through an area, many dangers may remain. The following is a list of precautions when returning home, which has been provided by CAL Fire and PG&E.
When driving to your property check for: Trees, brush and rocks which may be weakened or loosened by fire. Trees and brush weakened by fire may lose limbs or fall. Rocks loosened by fire may roll and crumble. If rocks have rolled down a slope expect more to follow. Debris or damage from fire on roads and driveways. Debris on the road near your home and in your driveway. Clearing the debris to the edge of your driveway and removing it later will help keep your home safe from fire. Utility poles weakened by fire.
At your property, check for fire or fire damage: Hot embers in rain gutters, on the roof and under overhangs. Hot embers under decks and in crawl spaces. Hot embers in wood piles, debris piles and lawn. Ensure well or pump-house is in working order. If your electrical service has not been interrupted you may continue to use your power for such things as pumping water, etc.
If your services are off, check for burned service equipment and facilities: Is there damage to the gas meter, gas lines or propane tank? If there is any visible damage, do not attempt to repair or turn on these services. Call your local propane company or utility. Look at the electric meter. If there is any visible damage, do not attempt to turn the breaker on. If there are electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact your local utility immediately.
When you have secured safety outside your home, check inside for fire or fire damage. Embers in the attic, which may have entered through vents. If electricity is off, before turning it on, make sure all appliances are turned off. Once you are sure all appliances are turned off, there is no fire damage to your building and the meter does not have any visible damage you may turn on the main circuit breaker. Check if the phone is working. Check if security system and alarms are working. Use flashlights to help inspect your home and surrounding area.
After checking your property, continue to use caution and note outdoor conditions: Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking should be considered hazardous. Smoldering holes on the ground can be full of hot coals. White ash is evidence of hot material.
If you find any of these conditions: Fire and other emergencies - Stay away and report condition to a local fire or law enforcement official in the area and call 911. Damaged utility equipment - Report electrical problems and damaged equipment to your local utility. Gas Leaks - Report electrical problems and damaged equipment to your local utility.
For more stories about the wildfires breaking out across California, click here.
