Friday, September 11, 2015

ROUGH ON CALIFORNIA: Rough Fire forces new mandatory evacuation orders for Dunlap residents, farm animals need shelter

Several residents in the area woke up to mandatory evacuation notices this morning
Authorities look for temporary homes for evacuated farm animals
The County Office Of Emergency Services is asking for the public's help in temporarily housing farm animals that are in the Rough Fire evacuation zone.

If you have coral space available to house animals, please contact the Agricultural Commissioner at 559-317-7204 or email at lwright@co.fresno.ca.us.


Several residents in the area woke up to mandatory evacuation notices Friday morning. They were escorted out of their homes with help from responders as the threat of the flames intensifies. Authorities are urging residents to evacuate their homes by noon.

The fire has grown to over 119-thousand acres and is just 29 percent contained.

The Rough Fire is also having a direct impact on schools -- forcing the closure of Dunlap School and the Dunlap Leadership Academy. After consulting with fire officials last night, the Kings Canyon Unified School District decided to transport students daily from the mountain areas to schools in Reedley and Orange Cove.

Dunlap students stayed in the classroom on Thursday instead of being outside where smoke from the wildfire is covering the mountain communities. Educators told students not to over exert themselves because of bad air quality.

The school closures will remain in effect until further notice. See more on the evacuation notices below.

Rough Fire Information


Size: 119,069 Acres

Containment: 29 percent

Total Personnel: 2,229

Air Quality Today: Heavy concentrations of smoke are expected near the fire today. Smoke will be slow to lift and transport will primarily terrain and diurnally driven. Light and variable transport winds are expected primarily from the southeast, with increased impacts expected in the San Joaquin Valley foothills northwest of the fire. Residual smoke that has not cleared the area, will add to impacts from new smoke being produced. Unhealthy to Hazardous conditions are expected in communities near the fire.

Mandatory Evacuation Orders for Portions of Dunlap

An evacuation warning has been implemented on the following area within Fresno County:
All private lands adjacent to Highway 180 between the Highway 180/Dunlap Road junction east to the 42000 block of Highway 180.

A mandatory evacuation has been implemented on the following area within Fresno County:
All private lands adjacent to Millwood Road beginning at the 40000 block of Millwood Road east to the Millwood Road/Todd Eymann Road junction; then adjacent to Todd Eymann Road southeast to the Todd Eymann Road/Highway 245 junction; then adjacent to Highway 245 northeast to the Highway 245/Highway 180 junction.

At 6:00 am on Friday, Fresno County Sheriff's deputies will go door to door and distribute mandatory evacuation notices to certain residents in Dunlap. The starting point will be on Millwood Road, 1 1/2 miles east of where Dunlap Rd. and Millwood Rd. intersect. The notices will be handed out along Todd Eymann Rd. and up along Hwy. 245 where it meets Hwy. 180.

Deputies are urging residents to be out of the area by 12:00 pm. The exit route for motorists will be Dunlap Rd., past the school and back out to Hwy. 180. Residents shall not drive on Millwood Rd. We encourage folks to use tonight and the early morning hours to get their belongings in order.


EVACUATION CENTER
Sanger Community Center - 730 Recreation Ave. Sanger, CA

Evacuation Map - Evacuations are along the blue line. Authorities are starting at Millwood Road and moving east.
The Central CA Animal Disaster Team Activates Emergency Animal Shelter in Sanger, CA For Household Pets Affected By Rough Fire

The Central California Animal Disaster Team has been deployed by the Fresno County Office Of Emergency Services to assist with displaced small and large animals due to the Rough Fire.

Small animal evacuation shelter will be open for pets of families under mandatory evacuation orders: CCADT has activated an emergency animal shelter for household pets at the same location where Red Cross has activated a human shelter - Sanger Community Center - 730 Recreation Ave. Sanger, CA. The shelter will be open on Friday, September 11th for residents under MANDATORY evacuation orders.

Large animal assistance. CCADT is coordinating efforts with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office to evacuate large animals. If you need assistance with evacuation and sheltering for large animals (livestock, horses, etc.), please contact the Central CA Animal Disaster Team at 559-433-WOOF (9663).

Updates on changes available on the CCADT.ORG website or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CCADT1

Donations are needed: General monetary donations are GREATLY needed at this point. In kind donations cannot be taken because the shelter needs to remain mobile. To donate please visit: http://www.ccadt.org/donate.html

Please work with emergency responders and follow all guidelines. It is important to follow the evacuation guidelines with your pets. Safety is the number one priority for everyone. Please visit our website for help with evacuating with your pet and for items that should be kept in your pet's go bag.

Rough Fire Progression Map