Single Publication

 September 29, 2021, 7:00 p.m.

 (The following information was taken directly from Tulare County Sheriff's Office website or Facebook page.)


 Sheriff To Downgrade Evacuation Orders Thursday For Affected Areas by Windy Fire

 Effective at 12 noon on Thursday, September 30, 2021, Sheriff Boudreaux will downgrade the following areas from Evacuation Orders to Evacuation Warnings:Alpine Village, Camp Nelson, Cedar Slope, Coy Flat, Pierpoint, Quaking Aspen, Ponderosa, Sequoia Crest.

 However, nearby Mountain Aire and Rogers Camp will remain closed under evacuation orders at this time.

 Prior evacuation orders and warnings not addressed will remain in effect.

 The Highway 190 corridor will open at noon Thursday and the roadblock will be pushed back to Aspen and M107.

 Residents living in these areas may return to their homes after showing proof of residence to law enforcement officers. Proper documentation must include the person’s name and address within the impacted area. Examples include a driver’s license, utility bill or address documentation from the U.S. Post Office for people who use a post office box.

 At this time, only residents are permitted to return.

 Residents returning to evacuation warning areas should be ready to leave again at a moment’s notice, as the fire is still active in some areas. Conditions may change, which may cause officials to re-issue evacuation status, if necessary.

 Tulare County advises residents returning to communities impacted by wildfires to take caution upon returning to their homes:

• Conduct a thorough inspection of structures, which may have been damaged, to prevent injury;
• Do not consume refrigerated or frozen food stored in appliances that may have lost electricity, and dispose of these items properly;
• Wear personal protective equipment, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, hard hats, safety glasses, leather gloves, and steel toe boots, to reduce risk of injury;
• Be aware of burnt or unstable trees on your route or on your property and hidden hotspots underground which may present hazards;
• Do not enter a confined space (for example, septic tanks, storage tanks, utility vaults, wells) without proper training and equipment;
• Avoid potential electrical hazards such as damaged power lines and electrical equipment that has been exposed to fire heat;
• Be cautious around hazardous and potentially dangerous materials such as propane tanks, gasoline tanks, and chemicals, and seek professional help in assessing or removing any hazardous waste;
• Use proper lifting techniques when removing debris and other items, and seek help from others when moving heavy or bulky items to reduce risk of musculoskeletal injuries;
• Wear personal protective equipment to avoid exposure to smoke and ash, dispose of ash using vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters;
• During clean up, use a particulate respirator mask, either P95 or P100 (sold at pharmacies), to provide protection from smoke and ash inhalation
• Avoid burned items that may contain hazardous materials. Avoid ash from decks and fences treated with chromated copper arsenate (a wood preservative) as it may contain lethal amounts of arsenic;
• Do not consume any food, beverages, or medications that have been exposed to burn debris or ash;
• Seek support as needed for emotional stress and mental and physical fatigue resulting from evacuation from and return to your residence;
• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy for information about your home and property coverage; and,
• Always be aware of your surroundings and proceed cautiously to avoid hazards when returning to an area affected by wildfire. Seek professional help when assessing potential hazards and seek medical assistance when necessary.