Fires reported north of Ukiah

Vegetation burns near Calpella and Redwood Valley

At least eight vegetation fires were reported Saturday afternoon near Redwood Valley and Calpella Saturday, Cal Fire personnel at the Howard Forest Dispatch Center reported.

According to Cal Fire, an incident known as the West Fire began on West Road in Calpella around 2:40 p.m. May 9, and forward progress was quickly stopped.

However, about seven other fires were reported in a separate incident called the Calpella Fire, which was reported around 4:15 p.m. at the Moore Street on-ramp onto Highway 101.

Cal Fire was assisting Redwood Valley- Calpella Volunteer Fire Department on both incidents, and several engines were soon requested to respond from the greater Ukiah Valley area.

According to Cal Fire, the two incidents were close in proximity and believed to be related, but staff could not speak to whether they were intentionally set.

No structures were reported to be immediately threatened, but deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded in case evacuations were necessary.

Engines responded from Cal Fire, the Hopland and Potter Valley fire departments, the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority and Redwood Valley.

The California Highway Patrol also responded to the incident, as the smoke from the fires was so heavy at one point it was affecting visibility on the highway. The CHP reported that one

southbound lane was briefly closed.

Witnesses to the Calpella incident reported that the fire did not start

along the highway, but up on the ridge, then headed west down toward the roadway.

As of 5:40 p.m., Cal Fire personnel reported that the fire was “moving slowly and crews were working on containment.”

The last estimates in

terms of size had both incidents at about six acres each.

At 6:05 p.m. Saturday, the MCSO reported that the “forward progress” of all the fires had been stopped, and that law enforcement resources were released from the incident.