MIDDLETOWN >> The American Red Cross and local organizations helped over 100 residents that signed in at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown by 4:30 a.m. on Monday after evacuating from the Sulphur Fire area. After reaching maximum capacity, other evacuees were sent to Grace Church in Kelseyville.
Families and their pets occupied the Casino shelter that held 120 cots, set up by American Red Cross personnel and city council members. Medical aid and food were also available. Lake County Animal Control arrived late Monday morning to offer housing, feeding, and vaccines for pets. By 3 a.m., about 30 people had arrived at Twin Pines and eight took shelter at Grace Church by 8 a.m.
Among evacuees was the Casino’s Food Service manager Jack Vos, from Clearlake Park. He said he noticed aggressive and concerning winds on his way home from work by 11:30 p.m. An hour after arriving home, heard Clearlake Police officers and Lake County Sheriff deputies saying “get out” through a loudspeaker. Confused at first, he went outside and saw an orange glow over a mountain that was quickly moving over toward his home.
Vos then woke his family, grabbed his pets and had everybody pack.
“There were so many cars on the road,” said Vos. “There were no evacuation centers open in Clearlake. We went to the Clearlake Senior Center but that’s when they told us to go to Twin Pines.”
Vos said he has not yet heard whether his house was destroyed or safe.
An 8th Street resident of Clearlake and mother of two said she was very fortunate to have her father call and led them to Twin Pines. Part of the resources available was stuffed animals for children, something that helped her two daughters keep calm after the rushed evacuation she added.
Over at Grace Church, pastor Garry Zeek was busy helping the American Red Cross organize evacuees and making phone calls to cancel church events, including one that expected about 200 attendees tonight.
Gloria Eisenman, Shelter Supervisor for the American Red Cross, said she remembered working at the same shelter two years ago for the Valley Fire; she is prepared for this incident, too, she said. The church held about 100 evacuees during the Valley and Clayton fires and expected similar numbers on Monday.
“If people are required to leave they should leave right away,” Eisenman advised. In the 2015 Valley Fire, four residents lost their lives due to the fire’s rapid spread. “We would not want to see that again. Get over to a shelter or safe place.”
Those who evacuated were told to remain at their place of shelter for at least 24 hours. Officials have not yet released an exact number of structures affected by the Sulphur Fire. Many remain uninformed about the condition of their homes.
