Firefighters are working to contain two wildfires in Mendocino County Friday.
The ‘Ranch Fire’ is burning off Highway 20 near Potter Valley, northeast of Ukiah, according to CAL Fire.
Firefighters first responded to the fire around noon Friday. So far, it has burned 1,000 acres and is moving at a moderate rate of speed.
CAL Fire says a firefighter was hurt battling the blaze but provided no further details on the injury.
An advisory evacuation notice was issued for the Blue Lakes, Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs areas.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued in the Hopland area, south of University Road to Highway 175 and east to the Lake County line.
The ‘River Fire’ also broke out Friday afternoon and is spreading quickly according to CAL Fire.
It has burned 4000 acres on Old River Road cross of Alder, Talmage.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is requesting immediate evacuations in the following areas:
South from the 8000 block of Old River Road to the area of the roundabout at Highway 175, including all residences feeding onto University Road and all areas feeding onto Old River Road west to the Russian River
EVACUATION INFORMATION:
The Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is opening a shelter at Mendocino College. The shelter will be located at the Mendocino College Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road in Ukiah.
The J arena located at 4800 Burke Hill Rd. Ukiah, is accepting animals, however, no horses. The Redwood Riders arena, located at 8300 East Road in Redwood Valley, is accepting horses. Small animals will be accepted at the Mendocino County Animal Shelter.
The Mendocino County Search and Rescue Team and Mendocino County Animal Control Officers may be able to assist in the movement of large and small animals for assistance. Please contact the Mendocino County Emergency Operations Center at (707)-467-6428.
Residents are urged to remain aware of their surroundings and use their best judgment. If the fire begins to approach their location they should evacuate to a safe location.
Residents should pay attention for future evacuation warnings. Additional evacuations may occur. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at www.MendocinoCounty.org/MendoAlert and can receive updated info at www.Facebook.com/MendocinoSheriff.
Additionally, rolling blackouts from the power grid are expected throughout the greater Ukiah area due to stress on the power grid. Residents are urged to conserve power.
New affected area is south of Hwy 175, east of Old River Road to Highway 101 and east to Old Toll Road and Ranch Road area.