Weekend AM Update: More residents allowed to return home
Solano County is allowing more rural Vacaville residents to return to their property while offering financial and other forms of assistance through new programs.
As fire crews gain ground on the multi-county LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, Solano County officials are allowing more rural Vacaville residents to return to their properties.
In a message distributed via Alert Solano on Saturday, Solano County said it would open roads to residents that fall under Phase 3 of its re-entry plan. Affected residents include those who own property between Cantelow Road and the Solano County line.
Residents who fall under Phase 1, Phase 2 or Phase 3 must check in with public safety personnel at The Mission, 6391 Leisure Town Road in Vacaville with proof of residency for clearance. Those without proof of residency will still be helped, but Solano County officials warn it may take a little longer to receive clearance.
Due to ongoing safety concerns, Solano County says several roads will remain closed to call, including Cantelow Road west of Pleasants Valley Road to English Hills Road as well as Mix Canyon Road, Blue Ridge Road and Gates Canyon Road.
Fast Facts
373,324 acres burned
41 percent contained
2,777 firefighters, 40 crews assigned to fire
1,080 structures destroyed across six counties
More than 700 buildings damaged or destroyed in Solano County
5 fatalities, 4 injuries confirmed
Public information line: 1-707-967-4207
Information accurate as of Saturday, August 29 and 3:00 p.m. PDT
Local Assistance Center
Solano County is in the process of partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to establish a local assistance center at the Solano Community College satellite campus in Vacaville.
The local assistance center is a one-stop location for recovery and support services provided by local, state and federal partners. FEMA officials will also be on hand to help with in-person applications for federal disaster relief aid.
The local assistance center opens this Sunday, August 30 and will be available to residents between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Face masks and social distance protocols will be required. Residents who don’t have a face mask will be provided one for free. (Read more)
The center is a physical version of Solano County’s virtual assistance center, which will remain accessible online at SolanoCountyRecovers.org. The virtual assistance center provides information on financial assstance, vital document replacement services, mail re-routing and delivery, temporary housing, healthcare and mental health offerings. It also provides connections for veterans and agriculture workers who need various forms of assistance due to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire.
For more information on either the virtual or physical local assistance center, call Solano County officials at 1-707-784-1575 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.
Re-Entry Phases
Public safety officials are working around-the-clock to secure areas of rural Fairfield and Vacaville that were impacted by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire earlier this month.
Re-population of affected areas remains a top priority for Solano County. Starting on Thursday, officials announced a phasing system in which certain residents will be allowed to return to their property after the area is determined to be safe. Areas and phases are being announced on a rolling basis. Residents who are allowed to return to their property as of Sunday include:
Phase 1
Residents or property owners with property west of Interstate 80 from Lyon Road to, and including, Vaca Valley Parkway, but not including Gates Canyon Road. (Map)
Phase 2
Residents or property owners with property north of Vaca Valley Road up to Cantelow Road and from Pleasants Valley Road to Gibson Canyon Road, but not including Gibson Canyon Road. (Map)
Phase 3
Residents or property owners with property between Cantelow Road and the Solano County line to the north. (Map)
Before returning, residents are required to check in with public safety officials at The Mission, 6391 Leisure Town Road in Vacaville. Proof of residency is required, and public safety officials will request a phone number and physical mailing address when residents check-in. Residents can also inquire about the status of their property at the re-entry center. Re-entry is allowed daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Solano County says most rural roads are open to residents, though some manned checkpoints and unmanned road closures remain in place. Gates Canyon Road, Mix Canyon Road, Blue Ridge Road and portions of Cantelow Road remain closed to all for the forseeable future.
Returning Home
Returning home after a disaster like a wildfire can create a new set of challenges for residents and property owners. Solano County Office of Emergency Services offers these tips for property owners who are returning after the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire:
Wear personal protection. Those who return home are urged to wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to protect the skin, face masks to prevent inhaling toxic substances and boots to protect feet from sharp objects. Leather or industrial gloves are also encouraged. (Read more)
Ash and other wildfire debris can contain hazardous chemicals and compounds. Before removing ash and wildfire debris, contact Solano County Environmental Health officials at 1-707-784-6765. (Read more)
Food left behind may have expired, even if unopened. Do not rely solely on the appearance of food or beverages to determine freshness — food that looks OK to eat or drink can still make a person sick. Inspect meat, dairy, baby food and produce for freshness. When in doubt, throw it out. (Read more)
Be safe on rural roads. While some areas have been re-opened to residents, there exist potentially-unseen hazards. Burned out tress and utility lines, especially those that are leaning, may fall. Loose ground is likely to wash away at the slightest hint of rain. Drive slow, stay vigiliant and use caution when passing fire crews and other utility workers. (Read more)
For more tips on what to do after returning home, visit the Solano County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page.
Alert Solano
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department is requesting members of the community sign up for Alert Solano, a free service that offers real-time public safety alerts, including evacuation notices, severe weather, road closures/openings and other critical information. These alerts are delivered by phone call, text messages and/or email messages based on your preference. (Sign up here)
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LNU Solano is not affiliated with Solano County or any public safety agency. During times of crisis, always follow the direction of law enforcement and other public safety officials. Plan ahead for wildfires at www.readyforwildfire.org.