Oak Fire continues to burn near Willits, some residents allowed to return home

WILLITS, Calif. (KIEM) — Firefighters continue to battle the Oak Fire burning just north of Willits in Mendocino County, but some residents are now being allowed to return home.

At last check, communities in zone 1 remain under an evacuation order. This includes Third Gate Road, Skyview Road, Big John Road, Live Oak Drive, and Ryan Creek Road, but residents who live on Metzler Ridge Road and Schow Road are allowed to return home.

Zones 2 through 14 remain under an evacuation warning. For specifics, you can check the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office evacuation map. Evacuation centers at Willits High School and Baechtel Grove Middle School are still open. 

Now looking at the fire itself, Cal Fire says the Oak Fire has burned 1,100 acres and is roughly 40% contained. Highway 101 is open, but both access roads to Ryan Creek from Highway 101 and Third Gate Road near the Metzler Ridge Road intersection remain closed.