Tweets from Kincade Fire lines reveal the terrifying reality of evacuating in realtime
SAN JOSE — Wine Country residents took to Twitter this weekend as more than 180,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to the roaring Kincade Fire.
Strong winds blowing across Sonoma County Sunday morning spread the flames further south prompting authorities to order thousands of additional residents to flee the area.
By 7 a.m. Sunday, the fire had consumed 30,000 acres and was 10 percent contained. No injuries have been reported but nearly 80 structures have been reported destroyed, including 31 homes. Officials have warned that the fire is threatening about 23,500 structures.
Evacuating from a wildfire is not only stressful but can be traumatizing. Anxiety, constant worrying, trouble sleeping, and other depression-like symptoms are common responses to those affected by wildfires, says the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 counseling. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Here are some tweets from the evacuation zone.
Public service announcement for #kincadefire — if you are in a possible evacuation area and might lose power tonight, open up your garage door and anything else that requires electricity so you can leave when you need to.
— Alder Yarrow (@vinography) October 26, 2019
#SonomaFire right outside my house now. I’m good, evacuating now. pic.twitter.com/DW6uO74hRY
— MCMLXXXVII (@RMSY_A) October 27, 2019
Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park is evacuating as the fire advances south on strong winds. This is Hopper Ln., one of the major exit routes. #KincaidFire pic.twitter.com/5afflWmRKG
— Darwin BondGraham (@DarwinBondGraha) October 27, 2019
Dorothy Hammack was diagnosed with breast cancer two days ago, and had to evacuate her house today. She and her fiancé Aldo Lovati plan to spend the night in her 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis. “If I can get through the fire, I can get through the cancer,” she says #KincadeFire pic.twitter.com/BJwMNGXxG8
— Casey Tolan (@caseytolan) October 26, 2019
We couldn’t find my cat when evacuating. I hope he’s okay and doesn’t get hurt. I hope he manages to escape flames if they make it to town. My baby, Mia. #KincadeFire #Healdsburg pic.twitter.com/9XlGIZS2fW
— andie*** (@AndieSanxez) October 27, 2019
Evacuating the #KincadeFire in a loaded-up Prius with two cats, a few cases of really expensive brandy, my wife's wedding dress, and a bunch of computer equipment. (Kids and partner already have arrived to safery.) Very surreal.
— Matt Villano (@mattvillano) October 26, 2019
Leaving Santa Rosa. Hwy 12 approaching 101 South #KincadeFire pic.twitter.com/C04BoWdMk6
— rebecca (@FrancesssStyles) October 27, 2019
My entire town is being evacuated. Packing up my 97 and 90 year old grandparents, husband, son, uncle and brother and a lifetime. #KincadeFire
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) October 26, 2019
Please retweet! Do not head towards I-80 E Sacramento. We were headed to RENO and had to U turn on bridge flames everywhere! Stay safe!!! #fires #SonomaCounty Alfred Zampa bridge towards Vallejo pic.twitter.com/8bCVc00XUJ
— Mirna Cruz (@Mirnuhhh) October 27, 2019
great. I had to pick my son up from college yesterday (Cal Maritime) because of the wind-driven power outages. now it looks like it might burn down. some kids chose to remain on campus through the outages, but now they're evacuating everybody else who stayed back.#pray
— Adam Johnson (@hrunting101) October 27, 2019
4/ GRAB YOUR BASIC NECESSITIES AND GO!
Ok, for folks who have more time, the good people of #Paradise suggest:
– When packing clothes, go for the ones in the dirty laundry since those are the ones you wear most often (and will therefore likely need the most)
— Jessica Stiles (@StilesJess) October 27, 2019
Evacuating Canine Companions dogs….pretty much almost just died on the bridge. pic.twitter.com/lhFYcqB67c
— Laura Allen (@LA03) October 27, 2019
My grandpa sent my family a picture of him and his wife in front of their house before evacuating and said “in case it’s the last time”
— a m b i e (@Ambieeee27) October 27, 2019
Healdsburg. #KincadeFire pic.twitter.com/gGNmk7MJfD
— Karl Mondon (@karlmondon) October 26, 2019
This is what the Soda Rock Winery building on the west side of Highway 128 in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley looked like just a short time ago. Extreme winds threw embers from the #KincadeFire into this area and sparked destructive spot fires like this one, officials said pic.twitter.com/DDLW6AurCF
— Joseph Geha (@josephgeha16) October 27, 2019