Novato Prepared To Open Shelters For Wildfire Evacuees

NOVATO, CA – The city of Novato is prepared to open shelters, if needed, as thousands of people evacuate their homes due to the North Bay wildfires.

The city has been coordinating with Marin County to support the needs of neighboring Napa and Sonoma counties, including preparing for formal shelter requests, according to city officials. Hundreds of evacuees have already found shelter at Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael.

<< North Bay Wildfire Evacuees Escape To Marin >>

"When needed, we stand ready to open a shelter on short notice," Novato city officials said on social media. "We are grateful to our faith community for opening their doors to people in need and our public safety personnel are providing assistance as needed."

A number of churches in Novato are serving as shelters and places of refuge for victims of the North Bay fires, according to the Novato Police Department. The Novato Police Department and Novato Fire Protection District have also provided personnel to the North Bay fires as part of fire and law enforcement mutual aid efforts.

"The outpouring of generosity and commitment by the Novato community is amazing," police officials said in a statement. "We continue to be impressed by how our community has come together to roll up their sleeves and help friends and strangers alike.

Also See: California Wildfires Are Causing Problems Well Beyond The Fires' Edge

"We couldn’t be more proud of the Novato community for warmly welcoming evacuees and demonstrating what makes Novato so special. The Novato proud spirit has never been stronger."

<< Novato Unified Schools Closed Friday Due To North Bay Wildfires >>

The city of Novato, the Novato Police Department and the Novato Fire Protection District are actively monitoring the North Bay wildfires and any potential threats to Novato, officials said.

There are currently no fires in Marin County or fires threatening the county, police said. There are also no voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders for Novato. And although police and fire personnel are supporting wildfires elsewhere in the North Bay, both departments remain fully staffed in Novato and under normal operations.

"We are prepared to respond to any emergencies in Novato," police officials said.

Also see:

• Northern California Wildfire Latest: Death Toll Climbs, Acres Burn
• Red Flag Warning, Wind Advisory Issued For North Bay
• Wildfires Cause 'Unprecedented Levels' Of Air Pollution In Bay Area
• SMART Continues Free Train Service Through Sunday
• North Bay Wildfires Close Schools In Marin County

Photo: Overwhelming generosity by the public has created pallets of goods at the Petaluma Community Center – one of several evacuation centers in Sonoma County. People with donation are being redirected to the Marin-Sonoma Fairgrounds to drop off clothes and other items. Photo by Al Francis