Multi fire agencies address the public at Del Norte Fairgrounds

A panel comprised of several different agencies and governance addressed an audience of about 150 on the pickleball courts at the Fairgrounds, Saturday.

Panel members presented the status, up to the moment information on the multiple fires comprising the Smith River Complex. Members of the panel included the US Forest Service, the California Interagency Incident Management Team 15, the Office of Emergency Services, Pacific Power, Del Norte County Sheriff, the Board of Supervisors, County Chief Administrative Officer Neal Lopez, Crescent City Manager Eric Wier and the California Highway Patrol. At present. 15, 000 in Del Norte County are without power.

Lead Public Information Officer Tom Stokesberry welcomed the audience estimated to be about 150. He introduced Senator Mike McGuire via remote video who announced the state would be providing 15 commercial grade generators and 85 residential generators for those in medical need, bottled water and other emergency-related items to Del Norte County. “ Whatever you need, we will fill it.”

Pacific Power announced vital transmission lines would continue to be de-energized due to unpredictable wildfire fire activity and no estimate on restoration of power can be announced.

This past Saturday, Pac Power provided a large commercial grade generator in coordination with Del Norte County Emergency Operations Center and residential generators continue to be deployed for medical baseline program customers. The commercial generator will serve markets, gas stations and pharmacies.

Pac Power also announced it will be working closely with two community resource centers have been established for those who are without power, need assistance with charging electronics, receiving information, need water or ice or other vital services or products. The resource centers are:

Del Norte Highschool, 1301 El Dorado Street.

The Yurok Tribe, 225 Klamath Blvd in Klamath.

Incident Control Team member responded to an audience public question, when will power be restored. Steven Filmore of Team 15 was not able to ascertain a time or date for restoration of power due to the unpredictability of the multiple wildfires.

Currently, there are 400 firefighters on the ground with additional teams arriving over the week-end.

It should be duly noted the plethora of agencies working together to extinguish the fires and provide vital help to the community. Audience members spoke up and praised participants for their stellar efforts in providing goods and services to Del Norte County.