Sonoma County Wildfires: Frequently Asked Questions, Useful Numbers and Resources

October 2017

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

As the fires continue to ravage Sonoma and Napa counties, we continue to collect and share useful information with our readers. Below is a list of resources for those affected by the fires, organized by frequently asked questions. Please email us with more information. The gallery above is composed of photos and stories from the fires.

Where are the wildfires?

Find out how close the fires are to you with this continuously updated map showing current hot spots and fire lines: pressdemocrat.com/multimedia/7516058-181/live-map-of-wildfires-burning

Live updates on the latest news about the active fires in Sonoma County, plus news from Mendocino, Lake and other North Bay counties can be found here: pressdemocrat.com/news/7521925-181

Fire containment can be tracked at the top of this page: pressdemocrat.com

Where are evacuations taking place right now?

Get information regarding mandatory and voluntary evacuations in your area directly to your cellphone by texting your zip code to 888-777.

Click these links for updates lists of evacuation areas in Sonoma County:
sonomacounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety/Confirmed-Evacuations
pressdemocrat.com/news/7512171-181/evacuation-information-for-sonoma-county

Where are shelters located?

The following evacuation centers are open and accepting people evacuated:
sonomacounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety/News/Evacuation-Shelters

Please note: Evacuation Centers are not checking immigration status, however they may ask for identification. The purpose of this is to locate missing persons. You do not have to provide identification and you may only share your name if you choose.

How do I report, or receive information about, a missing person?

On Thursday, October 12, officials said crews are working to find at least 285 people who have been reported missing in Sonoma County. There were originally 600 reports of missing people, but officials said that 315 were located safely. The numbers had been inconsistent while authorities tried to get confirmation.

Register yourself as “Safe and Well”, or search for loved ones at safeandwell.org.

How can I prepare for an evacuation?

If there’s a chance you might need to evacuate, here are 10 things you can do now:
pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7512221-181/10-things-you-can-do

How can I help those affected by the fires?

As the fires continue to ravage Sonoma and neighboring counties, we are heartened by the kindness, compassion, resilience and resourcefulness evident in our community. Calls for help and donations have been answered by thousands of locals eager to support those in need.

Here’s where you can volunteer, donate and support fire victims:
pressdemocrat.com/news/7512190-181/how-to-help-volunteer-donate

A number of fundraising events will be held in support of the fire victims in the coming days and weeks, check this article for updates:
sonomamag.com/fundraisers-for-sonoma-and-napa-fire-victims

Which roads are closed due to the fires?

For updated information on road closures, go to the County of Sonoma here and the CHP here. A continuously updated list of road closures can be found here: pressdemocrat.com/news/7512184-181/road-closures-due-to-fires

How do I protect myself from the smoke?

The wildfires have brought with them the worst air quality levels ever recorded in some parts of the Bay Area, according to Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The air quality in Sonoma County now rivals the Chinese capital of Beijing.

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to protect yourself: cdc.gov/features/wildfires

Where can I receive medical care if I have been evacuated, or my hospital has been evacuated?

If you have been evacuated to a shelter in Sonoma County, a number of locations offer enhanced services such as mental health and acute medical assistance, including Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds (175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma), Elsie Allen High School (599 Bellevue Avenue, Santa Rosa), Santa Rosa Veterans Building (1351 Maple Avenue), and Sonoma County Fairgrounds Pavillion (1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa). More information here: sonomacounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety/News/Evacuation-Shelters

Kaiser Permanente:
Kaiser Permanente medical centers in Santa Rosa remain closed until further notice. If you live in an affected area, see a complete list of open and closed emergency, primary and pharmacy locations here: kaiserpermanente.org/article/fires-northern-california. For more information, call 1-866-454-8855.

Sutter:
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital remains closed. If you live in an affected area, see a complete list of open and closed emergency, primary and pharmacy locations here: sutterhealth.org/for-patients/community-alert. For more information, call 1-866-961-2889.

When will power be restored?

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. reported 51,000 Sonoma County customers were still without power Thursday morning, October 12, with the largest outage area on the west side of Santa Rosa where about 15,500 homes and businesses are powerless. Some power has now been restored.

Continuously updated power outage data provided by PG&E can be found on this interactive map: pressdemocrat.com/multimedia/7522448-181/current-pge-outages

Where do I pick up my mail if I have been evacuated?

Santa Rosa residents: The Santa Rosa Post Office will be providing mail pickup on Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, for customers displaced by evacuations and wildfires. Please have proper photo ID on hand to retrieve mail. More information about where and when to retrieve your mail: srcity.org

Residents of Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Eldridge, El Verano, Vineburg and Boyes Hot Springs: The Sonoma Valley post offices are temporarily using the Petaluma Casa Grande Carrier Annex at 1601 Corporate Circle in Petaluma. Pick up service is available 12-6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. Bring photo ID. More information here: about.usps.com/news/state-releases

How do I apply for federal financial assistance?

Sonoma County residents who are wildfire victims are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration. FEMA has opened a relief center on the first floor of The Press Democrat building on 427 Mendocino Ave. in Santa Rosa. This is a one-stop shop for obtaining personal documents, filing insurance claims, obtaining a driver’s license and other items.

Residents — even those who are covered by homeowner, commercial and auto policies at the time of the disaster — are urged to apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362.

Depending on their needs, residents could receive up to $34,000 in FEMA disaster grants to provide for temporary housing, essential home repairs and losses that are not covered under personal property or homeowner policies.

The grants do not have to be paid back and are considered nontaxable income that does not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

More information here: pressdemocrat.com/news/7522592-181/sonoma-county-fire-victims-urged

Where can I get assistance processing home and auto insurance claims?

Representatives from five insurance companies (Allstate, The Hartford, USAA, Liberty Mutual and Safeco) are at Finley Park in Santa Rosa to help residents impacted by fires file and process home and auto insurance claims. The representatives are able to also provide money for living expenses.

Bring insurance information if available and a personal ID. If neither is available, the representatives will be able to help through company information with a customer’s name.

How do I best respond to my child’s emotional needs during this time of crisis?

Thousands of children have been temporarily or permanently displaced by the wildfires, and most of the schools in Sonoma County remain closed. As a parent, remember to take care of yourself. Children depend on the adults around them to feel safe and secure, and are likely to be more affected by your emotional state than by your words.

For more useful tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to support your children during this difficult time, click on this link: healthychildren.org

To offer some relief in this devastating situation, a number of Sonoma and Bay Area museums and activity centers are offering free admission to families affected by the fires: sonomamag.com/free-museums-indoor-activities-for-families-affected-by-the-sonoma-napa-fires

How can I take care of myself, emotionally, during this time of crisis?

From the Red Cross: Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk and are likely to need extra care and help. But everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process.

More information about emotional responses, and recovery, here: redcross.org

For local mental health resources during this time of crisis, click this link: recamft.org/local-resources

Which restaurants are open?

Here is a list of restaurants serving the public, evacuees and first responders: sonomamag.com/biteclub/where-to-eat-restaurants-open-and-serving-in-sonoma-county

Public Information: Numbers and Resources

EOC Hotline: 707-565-3856 or call 2-1-1
Santa Rosa Public Information Line: 707-543-4511
Santa Rosa Emergency Information: srcity.org/610/Emergency-Information
City of Santa Rosa Fire Department Facebook Page: facebook.com/SantaRosaFD
County of Sonoma Emergency Information: sonomacounty.ca.gov/Home
County of Sonoma Facebook: facebook.com/SonomaCountyCal
County of SonomaTwitter: twitter.com/CountyofSonoma
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Nixle: local.nixle.com/sonoma-county-sheriffs-office (to get notifications, text your zip code to 888777)
SoCoAlert: SoCoAlert.com – click on “Sign Up Today”
Press conferences and public safety briefings are held at 1 p.m and 6 p.m. daily, and are lives streamed here: facebook.com/sonoma.sheriff

Sonoma Breweries Offer Support to North Bay Fire Victims

October 2017

By Jess Poshepny Vallery

In the wake of the devastating wildfires, a band of brewery brothers and sisters are offering a helping hand, a meal and a pint to those affected by the North Bay Fires. Click through the gallery above for more information. If you have know about more local beer venues supporting those affected by the fires, please email us.

Do you need food due to the fires? Let us help

October 2017

By biteclub

As of Saturday afternoon, most Sonoma County shelters have reported being fine on food through Sunday. However, there are many chefs in Sonoma County and beyond who are desperate to help — and can make several hundred meals in commercial kitchens for as long as it is needed. People with special diets can be accommodated.

Chefs from San Francisco, Kendall-Jackson, Backyard and others have been working tirelessly, but need to know how to help.

Any central location that needs food — be it evacuees, first-responders, government workers, media or other groups who are working through this event to help people — is welcome to contact me. Are you helping with animals and need food? Let us know.

Also, if you have a spot where people with family members staying with them can pick up meals, contact me. There are families with 10 people crammed into a house, and they need food too.

I am collaborating with food trucks and chefs who can continue to serve food throughout the next few weeks for folks that might be overlooked. If you have special needs — a shelter was trying to have a fun football themed dinner — I can try to arrange that. We are all here to help. Here are some ways to contact me:

facebook.com/heather.irwin1

facebook.com/groups/sonomafirefoodtrucks

facebook.com/groups/foodforsonoma

email heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com

Where to Eat: Restaurants Open and Serving Sonoma County

October 2017

By biteclub

Updated Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m. Here is a list of restaurants serving the public, evacuees and first responders. Many offer free or discounted meals to those affected by the fires. Please add others in the comments. This list will be updated as I can. Some are direct quotes from Facebook that I can verify.

SANTA ROSA

Monti’s: Free food to evacuees, first responders beginning at 11:30am. 714 Village Ct

Bird and Bottle: Free food to evacuees, first responders beginning at 11:30am. 1055 4th St.

Flying Goat: Free Wi-Fi and phone calls. Food menus are limited but coffee if brewing. As of today, hours of operation will be as follows: Santa Rosa 7 AM to 1:30 PM. 10 4th St

Rosso Pizzeria: Open, free phone charging. 53 Montgomery Dr.

La Gare: Open. 208 Wilson St.

Jack and Tony’s: Open. 115 4th St.

Mary’s Pizza Shack: Most locations open EXCEPT Marlow Road, Windsor, Sonoma Plaza.

El Coqui: Possibly limited menu. Free food for first responders. 400 Mendocino Ave.

Sprenger’s Tap Room: Offering free breakfasts to those in need (the chimichanga above is an example of Chef Damon Gault’s pre-fire breakfasts). 446 B St.

PETALUMA

Wishbone: Co-owner Miriam Donaldson is helping coordinate Petaluma food efforts for West County shelters. 841 Petaluma Blvd N.

Drawing Board: Offering set meals each night to those in need. 190 Kentucky St.

Quinua Cocina Peruana: Free lunch and dinner for those in need, will be hosting a school supply drive. 500 Petaluma Blvd S.

Topsy’s Kitchen: Open. 131 Kentucky St.

Lagunitas Petaluma TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary: $1 for every beer at tap room!

HEALDSBURG

Bravas: Free food to evacuees, first responders beginning at 11:30am. 420 Center St.

Willi’s Seafood: Free food to evacuees, first responders beginning at 11:30am. 403 Healdsburg Ave.

SHED: Open for business, donating 25% of sales to efforts. 25 North St.

Bear Republic: Offering free meals to the first responders of the fires. 345 Healdsburg Ave.

Flying Goat: Free Wi-Fi and phone calls. Food menus are limited but coffee if brewing. As of today, hours of operation will be as follows: Healdsburg (324 Center): 7 AM to 3 PM; Healdsburg (419 Center): 6 AM to noon. 324 Center St.

Barndiva: “Donating our profits to disaster relief and are honored to feed first responders with our compliments. The bistro is opening up Friday and we plan on doing the same through the weekend at both restaurants.” 231 Center St.

ROHNERT PARK

Amy’s Drive Thru: Open 8am-8pm today. Offering free food to people displaced by the fire and first responders. Amy’s is making 100% match on any cash donations. 58 Golf Course Dr W.

Bear Republic: Offering free meals to the first responders of the fires. 5000 Roberts Lake Rd.

SONOMA

Unknown at current time.

SEBASTOPOL

Slice Of Life: providing meals to first responders and evacuees. They are also making it easy for people from out of the area to donate towards free meals. 6970 McKinley St.

Ramen Gaijin: is offering a free bowl of ramen or donburi as well as a glass of wine, beer or n/a beverage to those impacted by the fires as well as to those fighting them. 6948 Sebastopol Ave.

GUERNEVILLE

Unknown at current time.

VALLEY FORD

Estero Cafe: won’t turn anyone away for lack of funds and are offering free breakfast sandwiches or eggs and hash browns to evacuees and first responders. Working on getting home from family affairs in New York and eager to jump into relief efforts wherever needed! 14450 Highway 1.

BODEGA

Mark Malicki at Casino is also cooking for the cause at the casino, but he always is!!!

NAPA

Recently-opened Compline Wine Bar, Retail shop and restaurant in down town Napa has been open serving first responders. They are also responding to the community needs offering $15. Meals. 1300 1st St #312, Napa.

FOOD TRUCKS

Sarah from Fork is driving around feeding people with her food truck.

Bodega Food Truck

FOOD OFFERS FOR SHELTERS

Shelters and first responder teams can call Ceres Community Project if they need food delivered. Deborah (staff member) 415-235-9615

Fires postpone Bay Area Michelin Stars

October 2017

By biteclub

The most-anticipated restaurant awards of the year have been put on hold as fires ravage the North Bay. The awards were slated to be announced on Thursday, but the news will be held until “a future date, yet to be determined.”

“We have followed the crisis unfolding in Napa, Sonoma and other counties near San Francisco with grave concern and heavy hearts,” said Claire Dorland-Clauzel, Michelin Group’s executive vice president of brands, external relations, and the MICHELIN Guide. “Recognizing the turmoil and tragedy of the fires that are still burning, we understand this is a time for grief and recovery, not celebration. We extend our condolences to all who have been affected.”

Local restaurants with Michelin stars in Sonoma County and Napa include Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, Madrona Manor, Terrapin Creek, French Laundry, Bouchon, Auberge du Soleil and La Toque.

Michelin stars among the most prestigious awards a restaurant can achieve and are published annually in Michelin Guides in notable food destinations in Europe as well as New York and the San Francisco Bay Area. The guides have been produced by the Paris-based tire company since 1900, highlighting destination-worthy restaurant locations. American restaurants have been eligible for inclusion since 2005.

Before & After: Sonoma & Napa Wineries, Restaurants, Landmarks Damaged or Destroyed by The North Bay Fires

October 2017

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

The fires that rage through Sonoma and Napa counties have burned businesses, wineries, restaurants, hotels and landmarks. To see how the devastating fires have changed the local landscape, look through the gallery above. More before and after photos here. We will continue to track businesses affected by the fires. Please email us if you have more information. Find out how to support victims of the fires here.

Note: the following wineries, restaurants and businesses have been damaged (we do not know to what extent yet):

Chateau St. Jean, 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood

Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 2000 Denmark Street, Sonoma (Blocks of vineyards were torched)

VinRoc, 4069 Atlas Peak Road, Napa.

White Rock Vineyards, 1115 Loma Vista Drive, Napa.

Sonoma Restaurants a Calm in the Firestorm

October 2017

By biteclub

Volunteers at Backyard Restaurant in Forestville. Facebook

In the midst of chaos, grief, fear and exhaustion, many local restaurateurs, farmers, caterers and chefs are offering up the most valuable thing they can this week — warm meals.

From Mendocino to Petaluma, the rallying cry has gone out, with restaurants offering a respite from the storm, free meals, takeout food and food donations. They’re staying open as late as possible, opening early, organizing into teams on social media and getting out the word as best they can, that their kitchens are open and everyone is welcome. Some restaurants, like Backyard in Forestville and Valette in Healdsburg have become centers for chefs and cooks to gather and prepare food — some serving up hundreds of to-go meals for first responders and evacuees each day.

My fork is lifted to these hardworking folks, many of whom have lost homes themselves and are worried about family members, but are still scrambling to do whatever they can to bring a smile and a full belly to those who keep the North Bay strong.

Here are some of their stories, as well as the latest information on where to go if you need a hot meal and how to help. This list has been compiled based on information directly from the restaurants, though their supplies and hours may change. One note: Some shelters are unable to accept food that is not pre-packaged due to health code issues, so as much as evacuees might appreciate your warm chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need to check in advance, or donate some money instead.

In response to interview requests, most of the chefs we checked in with on social media said they were too busy cooking to talk — as it should be.

“Put your phone down and find a work assignment,” said Wishbone restaurant owner Miriam Donaldson, who has been helping to organize chefs and dishwashers on her Facebook page, sending them where they are most needed.

She’s also helping to drum up relief cooks to back up those who’ve been behind stoves for days on end, and need to head home (or to shelters) for some well-deserved rest.

Santa Rosa Restaurants

The massive kitchen of Kendall-Jackson in Fulton burst to life on Monday morning as chefs began preparing meals for first responders and shelters. “We had to do something,” said executive chef Justin Wangler by text. “We couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

Though Mark and Terri Stark lost their historic restaurant, Willi’s Wine Bar, on Sunday night to the Tubbs fire, the couple have opened their other restaurants to first responders and evacuees, which are Bird and The Bottle and Monti’s in Santa Rosa; and Willi’s Seafood and Bravas in Healdsburg.

On Monday morning, as folks were waking up to unbelievable destruction, and most were still in shock from the overnight fires, Dutch Bros. coffee trucks were seen in several spots, including the parking lot of the Santa Rosa Police Department with an outpouring of coffee and support.

Chef Damien Gault has been making incredible breakfasts at Sprenger’s Tap Room for months, but since Monday has been slinging hash for the cause. And no one at the Santa Rosa tap room will pass judgment on a customer who needs a beer a few hours before beer-thirty, he says.

Forestville Restaurants

Chefs, cooks and anyone else who can lend a hand are gathering at Daniel Kedan and Marianna Gardenhire’s Backyard Restaurant, who are preparing hundreds and hundreds of meals for the displaced and first responders. Tapping into their network of producers, farmers and friends at CropMobster (a farmer network that helps to distribute extra produce), it’s one of the biggest operations so far.

Healdsburg Restaurants

Dustin Valette has been preparing hundreds of meals each day, ready for takeout. Though his restaurant is one of the most luxe in the county, simple meals are sometimes the best. Dustin’s father is a first responder, helping to drop fire retardant on the local fires.

Sebastopol Restaurants

Working with many local farms and Sebastopol markets, Ceres Community Project (which provides meals for critically ill patients) has rallied its staff to provide hundreds of nutritious meals for West County shelters and evacuees. Zazu Kitchen + Farm reported: “Had 12 dogs in the restaurant for breakfast,” said owner John Stewart. who opened the Barlow-based restaurant for free breakfasts on Monday. His family brought their own three dogs and daughters into work after being evacuated from their own home on Monday.

Sonoma Valley Restaurants

Many chefs and restaurants are offering up space, food and ongoing meals for one of the hardest-hit areas — at least as long as they can before being evacuated. Tri Tip Trolley mobile kitchen has been serving meals for first responders.

Petaluma Restaurants

Since Petaluma has been spared much of the fire destruction, chefs and restaurants have been especially active in helping other hard-hit communities. McNear’s Pub was an early refuge for many who needed a hot meal and a place to bring distressed children, showing movies on Monday night. It continues to be a gathering spot for families evacuated or homeless from the fires.

Free Museums & Indoor Activities for Families Affected by Sonoma & Napa Fires

October 2017

By Shana Bull

In the wake of the wildfires, as the air quality remains poor, many children are confined to the indoors; some, thankfully, still in their homes, while others have been evacuated to shelters and temporary housing. Many schools in Sonoma County remain closed and parents are now busy trying to keep restless and scared children happy and calm, while worrying about their homes and the future of their community.

To offer some relief in during this difficult time, a number of Sonoma and Bay Area museums and activity centers are offering free admission to families affected by the fires. Click through the gallery above for a list of places to visit with your kids in Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco and Berkeley. Remember to bring ID/proof of address to show you are from the impacted area.

We will continue updating this list, so please email us if you hear of other free, or discounted, family activities. For information about how to respond to your child’s emotional needs during this time of crisis, click here.

Fundraising Events for North Bay Fire Victims

October 2017

By Shana Bull & Crissi Langwell

We are heartened by the kindness, compassion, resilience and resourcefulness evident in our community. Calls for help and donations continue to be answered by thousands of locals eager to support those affected by the fires. In the coming weeks and months, a number of fundraising events will be held to support Sonoma and Napa fire victims, in different ways. Click through the gallery above for more information. We will continue to update this list, so please check back in and email us if you have information about upcoming events. For more ways to help, including volunteering and donations, click here.

More Bay Area businesses planning fundraisers, with dates to be announced: Barndiva in Healdsburg, One7 Gallery in San Francisco, Donkey & Goat Winery in Oakland.

Petaluma Pubs Unexpected But Effective Donation Distributors During North Bay Fires

October 2017

By Karen Kizer

As assistance for Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino County fire evacuees continues to pour in – truckload after truckload – some shelters are beginning to turn away donations due to oversupply on some items and limitations of space. The challenge is to match the items donated with the specific needs of fire victims.

Petaluma pub owners at Jamison’s Roaring Donkey, with the help of Maguire’s Irish Pub, have committed their businesses to the coordination and delivery of the right items to the right people.

The space inside the Roaring Donkey has become a pop-up clearinghouse of sorts, where items received are organized by type. Over a dozen volunteers move at a quick pace to keep up with the deliveries from cars and trucks arriving continuously at the Kentucky Street bar. Once sorted, items are delivered to particular shelters where a matching need has been communicated.

Volunteers at the Roaring Donkey say they’re currently overloaded with donated clothing, which requires lots of volunteer-power to sort. There is, however, a great need for new items: new-in-the-package underwear (including teen bras), Ziplock bags of collected new toiletries, plastic bins (for use as “footlockers”), glass-free packaged food, and gift cards to fill in the gaps. Volunteers are needed to organize donations.

“Every time we empty one (truck), we end up getting more,” says volunteer, Tara Lanatti, a student and instructional aide, who learned of the need for volunteers after driving by the pub.

School supplies, being stored at Maguire’s pub, are delivered to Xandex Inc.’s office space at 1360 Redwood Way, where they are organized by the Active 20-30 Club in partnership with Petaluma-based Mentor Me program.

Megan McClelland, Active 20-30 Club volunteer and counselor at Petaluma High School, beamed as she told of the hundreds of new backpacks that arrived from individuals as well as from Camelbak and Jansport. The drop-off on Redwood Way has been visited by “an insane amount of people,” she says. “It’s awesome community here.”

Active 20-30 Club volunteers say they are well stocked with pencils and pens, but there’s a need for three-ring binders, graphing calculators, lunch boxes, pencil pouches and backpacks.

Roaring Donkey co-owner, Brian Tatko, who could only stop briefly while carrying a large box of delivery-bound donations, said they will be accepting goods on Saturday and Sunday until about 3 or 4 p.m. at which point they have to tend to their regular business as a bar, music venue and gathering place.

How to help: Jamison’s Roaring Donkey is located at 146 Kentucky St. in Petaluma. The Active 20-30 Club will be accepting donations at Xandex at 1360 Redwood Way in Petaluma on Saturday, October 14 until 2 p.m. Please check The Roaring Donkey’s Facebook page and Petaluma 20-30 Club’s Facebook page for updates. Keep in mind that needs are constantly changing. For more ways to support fire victims, click here.