Kincade Fire: PG&E Works To Restore Gas, Power To Thousands

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Containment on the Kincade Fire increased to 84 percent Tuesday morning as crews continue to gain ground on the Sonoma County blaze that has been burning for nearly two weeks. The number of acres burned, 77,758, remained the same as of Tuesday morning. The number of structures believed to be destroyed — 374, including 174 homes and 11 commercial/business structures — was also the same.

Cal Fire still expects full containment of the fire by Thursday, Nov. 7.

Four first responders have been injured fighting the blaze, which started Oct. 23 near Geyserville.

Evacuations were ordered for several days but as of Sunday, all evacuation orders had been lifted.

"All evacuations have been lifted at this time; however, the Sonoma County Public Health Order is still in place," Cal Fire officials said.

The health order states that neither property owners nor community members should enter the burn footprint of structures without personal protective equipment. Such equipment can be obtained by visiting the local assistance center set up at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. The LAC is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Community members with questions about the Kincade-Fire recovery process can call 211.

PG&E Service Restoration

PG&E is continuing its efforts to restore natural gas to 24,600 customers whose service was cut off Sunday, Oct. 27 for the safety of community members and first responders as the Kincade Fire raged out of control.

"The warming shelter we provided in Healdsburg closed on Sunday, as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church returned to normal business," said Deanna Contreras, PG&E spokeswoman for the North Bay.

As of Tuesday morning, Contreras said gas service has been restored for approximately 23,000 customers. Another 1,300 customers in Healdsburg and Windsor still need their gas service turned back on but PG&E has not been able to access their properties, she said.

PG&E is staffing a table at the Healdsburg LAC and "will continue to have a presence" until crews with the utility have "re-visited every location a second and third time and fulfill appointments," Contreras said.

"Please do not attempt to turn the gas on yourself or relight your pilot light," Conteras said. "Customers can call 1-800-743-5000 to let us know they’ll be home."

Stationed at a base camp near Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park, some 1,400 personnel are also working to replace poles, lines and other equipment throughout the fire footprint to restore electricity to customers in Geyserville, Healdsburg, Middletown and Calistoga, Contreras said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Kincade Fire: Local Assistance Center Opens; All Evacs Lifted
• Kincade Fire: 167 Homes Destroyed As Damage Assessment Continues
• Kincade Fire 65-Percent Contained; More Evacuations Lifted
• Kincade Fire: Containment Up; Thousands Return Home
• Kincade Fire Live Updates: 90K Homes Threatened; 76K Acres Burned
• Kincade Fire Live Updates: 74K Acres Burned; 80K Homes Threatened
• Kincade Fire Evac Advisory Still Stands For Calistoga In Napa Co.
• Kincade Fire Latest: Over 25,000 Acres Burned
• Kincade Fire Latest: Concerns Mount Fire Could Jump West Over 101

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.