Two arson fires set in Ukiah

Ukiah man cited for fire near Safeway

The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority has responded to two arson fires set in the past five days, the most recent near the railroad tracks behind Daniel Steel and Machine on Brush Street.

UVFA Battalion Chief Justin Buckingham said crews responded to a report of a Dumpster on fire in the 300 block of Brush Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, and found personnel from the Ukiah Police Department and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office already on-scene.

Buckingham said there was clear evidence of a homeless encampment near the Dumpster, which had a mattress and other items inside that had been intentionally set on fire. He said the flames were quickly extinguished

and were not threatening nearby structures.

“Luckily, the grass was green and did not ignite,” Buckingham said.

“But a month from now, it could be much different.”

He said that was the second arson fire the UVFA had responded to in less than a week, as crews also responded to a report of a man setting a cart on fire on South Main Street near Safeway around 11:45 p.m. Saturday.

Buckingham said paper items in what appeared to be a milk carton had been set on fire, and them an responsible was still on-scene when authorities arrived.

The Ukiah Police Department arrested a 46-yearold Ukiah man for a misdemeanor charge of reckless burning, and he was cited and released.

With the Ukiah Valley receiving about half its normal rainfall so far, Buckingham predicted “it’s going to be a long year” for the UVFA, as well as most other fire departments across the state.