Hwy 101 Reopens; Several Homes Damaged In Petaluma Fire [UPDATE]

UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPT. 27, 7:18 p.m. PETALUMA, CA – All lanes of U.S. Highway 101 are open after a vegetation fire that burned a number of homes along the freeway, leading the California Highway Patrol to issue a Sig-alert.

CHP officers spotted the fire on the right shoulder of northbound Highway 101 near East Washington Street around 3:15 p.m.

Residents of a neighborhood adjacent to the highway were evacuated from their homes and directed to gather at a nearby shopping center, according to police.

The fire prompted the California Highway Patrol to close the highway's northbound lanes between East Washington Street and Lakeville Street, CHP officials said around 3:30 p.m.

All lanes had reopened as of 5 p.m., however.

The fire damaged multiple structures on Stuart and McKenzie drives, according to police.

It was not immediately clear if any injuries have been reported as a result of the blaze.

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 27, 3:45 p.m.

Multiple structure fires and burning trees were reported in Petaluma this afternoon on Stuart and McKenzie drives and northbound U.S. Highway 101, according to the Petaluma Police Department.

The fire area is on the east side of Highway 101, south of East Washington Street, and the California Highway Patrol at the time closed all northbound 101 lanes. The CHP this evening has reopened one lane, with another partially open, as officers are escorting traffic past the fire scene, according to CHP officials.

Drivers should continue to expect major delays, the CHP said.

The fire has damaged multiple structures on Stuart and McKenzie drives, according to police.

Residents evacuated from homes and looking for family members are temporarily gathering at the Safeway parking lot in the Washington Square Shopping Center, Petaluma police said.

Evacuated residents also can call 707-778-4372 for any updated information on temporary shelter or information about getting into the evacuated areas.

Petaluma Fire Department and Petaluma Police Department have set up a Command Post in the area of Stuart and McKenzie. Only residents who live in the evacuated area will be allowed in, and there are several traffic controls set up in the area.

"Please avoid the area if you have no need to be there," police said.

It was not immediately clear if any injuries have been reported.

No additional details are yet released.

Patch will update when more information is available.

--Bay city News contributed to this report/Photos courtesy of Allison Holmes and John Daly V @johndaly