Residents evacuated, homes destroyed in Hopkins Fire north of Ukiah
A fire that began about 2:15 p.m. Sunday in Calpella destroyed numerous homes and led to the evacuation of several hundred residents. The blaze quickly grew, burning east toward Lake Mendocino.
At 7:15 a.m. Monday, Cal Fire reported that the fire, which began near Hopkins Street and North State Street, and has been named the “Hopkins Fire,” had burned 257 acres and was 20 percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Cal Fire’s status update stated that firefighters made good progress overnight, “with the assistance of lower temperatures and higher humidity. Firefighters on the ground as well as aircraft will continue to actively work to suppress the fire. A damage assessment team has been requested to survey the fire area to determine how many structures have been damaged or destroyed. We ask that the public heed all evacuation orders and warnings.”
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office quickly evacuated hundreds of people Sunday afternoon, although some residents were allowed to return home Sunday evening. Just before 9 p.m. Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office advised residents that the evacuation order for Lake Mendocino Drive from East Side Calpella North to Milani Drive had been reduced to an evacuation warning, stating that “this includes the Oakie Flats area. Residents in listed area are free to return home while maintaining situational awareness” and advising those returning to “keep a look out for ground personnel in the area.”
At 8 a.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office released a Hopkins Fire update, stating that the following areas “remain under evacuation order: Eastside Calpella Road from Milani Drive north to Highway 20, Moore Street, Marina Drive, Black Oak Drive, Rubicon Court, Cortina Place, and all of Lake Ridge Road. All other evacuation warnings for the Calpella area remain and will not change today.”
As of 8 a.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office stated “there are currently roadblocks in the following areas: 1. Lake Mendocino Drive at Lake Ridge Road. 2. East Side Calpella Road at Milani Drive. 3. Moore Street at North State Street. 4. East Road at Road 144 (near McCarty’s Bar). 5. Highway 20 at Marina Drive. Continue to use situational awareness in the evacuation areas and avoid Calpella area if possible. Fire personnel are actively fighting the fire in the evacuation areas and it is not safe for people to repopulate at this time. Please visit MendoReady.org for additional information to include the updated map for evacuation orders and warnings.”
An evacuation center has been set up at the Mendocino County Office of Education, 2240 Old River Road, Ukiah.
A large animal shelter site has been established at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds, 1055 N. State St., and the Mendocino County Animal Shelter on Plant Road, Ukiah is also offering assistance.
Cal Fire reported the following road closures as of 7:15 a.m. Monday:
- East Side Calpella Road at Deghi Lane (Ukiah)
- South Side entrance of Lake Ridge Road at the Lake Mendocino South Boat Ramp Overlook (Ukiah)
- Moore Street at the bridge/railroad tracks just west of East Side Calpella Road (Calpella)
- Eastside Calpella Road at Road 144 (on-ramp/off ramp from Highway 20 to Redwood Valley
- Marina Drive at Highway 20 (access road to Lake Mendocino North Boat Ramp in Redwood Valley.
Firefighters from throughout the region, and other agencies, are joining Cal Fire in fighting the Hopkins Fire. Cooperating agencies include: Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, California Conservation Corps, Hopland Fire Department, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department, Redwood Coast Fire Department, Brooktrails Fire Department, Potter Valley Fire Department, Little Lake Valley Fire Department, MedStar Ambulance, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California National Guard, Brooktrails Fire Department and Laytonville Fire Department.
Resources assigned to the fire as of Monday morning include: two helicopters, 22 engines, seven dozers, six water tenders, 262 personnel, and six crews.