What you need to know before returning home
Solano County has begun a phased re-population effort for some areas affected by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire.
On Thursday, the Solano County Office of Emergency Service issued a notice via Alert Solano informing residents that re-population efforts had started in portions of rural Vacaville and rural Fairfield affected by last week’s LNU Lightning Complex wildfire.
The Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services, and the Solano County Department of Resource Management, Public Works division, are working in coordination with CAL FIRE, local fire chiefs, PG&E and the water agency on a phased re-population process to help residents return safely to their property after being evacuated because of the LNU Lighting Complex fire.
Re-population efforts are occuring in phases, meaning residents will be allowed to return to their properties when public safety agencies determine those areas are safe for re-entry. Utility workers and fire crews are likely to remain in areas for the next few weeks.
Phase 1 Residents Allowed to Return Home
Starting Thursday, Solano County is allowing some residents who fall under the county’s Phase 1 re-population zone to return home after checking in with law enforcement and providing proof of residency.
Phase 1 includes residents who live in the areas west of Interstate 80 from Lyon Road to Vaca Valley Road, including Vaca Valley Road. Residents who fall within the Phase 1 re-population zone will be allowed to check-in with officials and return to their property between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Only residents who fall within Phase 1 are allowed to return home as of Thursday morning; additional re-population determinations will be announced via Alert Solano in the future. (Click here for a map of re-entry points)
Proof of Residency
Before returning to their property, residents will need to visit Solano County’s Re-Entry Center located at Mission Church, 6391 Leisure Town Road, Vacaville. A valid form of identification or proof of residency will be required before re-entry is granted. Acceptable identification includes:
California driver’s license or state identification card with current address
Car registration and/or car insurance documentation
Utility bill from PG&E, Comcast, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.
Municipal utility bill from water, garbage and/or sewer service
Residents who did not evacuate with proof of residency will still be assisted by Solano County officials, but the County warns those residents may experience longer wait times to return home while County officials confirm residency in affected areas.
Solano County is efforting various programs and services to assist residents afflicted by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire. For this reason, residents will be asked to provide a current phone number and/or postal address to receive communication from Solano County officials. Residents whose properties have been destroyed or damaged to the point of inhabitation can provide a relative or trusted friend’s phone number and/or mailing address to receive communications from Solano County officials.
Some Roads Remain Closed
For the safety of all residents, CAL FIRE crews, Solano County residents and utility workers, some roads are closed indefinitely due to damage from falling trees, damaged utility lines, wildfire debris and other safety and health hazards.
Solano County has closed the following roads for the foreseeable future:
Blue Ridge Road
Cantelow Road from Pleasants Valley Road to English Hills Road
Gates Canyon Road
Mix Canyon Road
Pleasants Valley Road from Shale Peak Lane to Quail Canyon Road
Information about when these roads will be re-opened to residents and/or the public will be made available via Alert Solano at a later date.
CAL FIRE Damage Assessment
Late Wednesday evening, CAL FIRE announced the number of structures destroyed from the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire had crossed the 1,000 mark for the first time since the fire broke out early last week.
The agency also released an interactive damage assessment map that shows the locations of homes and other buildings within the perimeter of the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire. Structures that have been surveyed are identified as either unaffected, damaged or destroyed. (View the map here)
Don’t Throw Ash, Debris Away
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services is asking residents to refrain from disposing of wildfire ash and other debris in the trash because local landfills are not equipped to handle the chemicals and other matters found within wildfire remnants. Solano County says it is working with state officials to acquire necessary clearances to accept wildfire ash and debris. (Read more)
Property Tax Relief
Solano County officials have suspended the collection of property taxes in areas affected by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire. Tax assessors are already starting to re-assess property values in areas impacted by the wildfire and are offering long-term property tax relief for individuals and businesses whose structures or property were damaged or destroyed by the wildfire. (Read more)
Financial Assistance
Following local, state and federal disaster declarations in connection with the LNU Lightning Complex and other wildfires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has started processing applications for federal disaster financial assistance. Those who wish to apply should visit www.disasterassistance.gov.
Disaster Relief Donations
Solano County has established the Solano Disaster Relief Fund for individuals and businesses who wish to donate money to assist those afflicted by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire. To donate, visit www.solanocf.org.
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)
More Resources
Updates are posted twice daily on this volunteer-driven Medium post as well as in the Solano County Information Network group on Facebook. You can also follow rolling updates via Twitter on @MatthewKeysLive. Solano County’s official wildfire recovery website is at www.solanocountyrecovers.org.
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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.