Update 3:30 p.m. — Firefighters are in the process of “mopping up” the fire, according to scanner traffic. One firefighter became overheated and a medical response is on the way.
You can see additional photos and video on our Facebook page.
Update 1:15 p.m. — As of about 1 p.m. the forward progress on the fire has stopped and crews are working towards complete containment, Chief Schoeppner of the Brooktrails Fire Department confirmed. The fire reached about six acres in total and was located in the area behind the Willits KOA between the Skunk Train tracks and the ridge, and multiple agencies made a quick response.
The air response will continue to ensure full containment. So far no official information has been released about the cause of the fire. The fire did not occur on the KOA property.
This reporter saw a Skunk Train heading down the tracks at about 12:30 p.m., so it appears as if the tracks were not impacted by the fire.
Chief Schoeppner urged residents to sign up for reverse 9-1-1 emergency notifications to ensure they receive the most timely information possible. Today, a reverse 9-1-1 call went out to Brooktrails residents to assure them there was no threat to the Brooktrails area, although smoke was visible from parts of Brooktrails. You can sign up for these alerts at the Mendocino County Sheriff’s website here.
We’ll update if more information becomes available and will be posting some additional photos shortly.
WILLITS, 7/14/18 — A fire has started in the vicinity of the Willits KOA campground on Highway 20. CalFire, the Little Lake Fire Department, and Brooktrails Fire Department are on their way to the scene via Highway 20. The fire is currently being called the “Camp Incident.”
As of about 10:45 a.m. the fire is about five acres in size, according to scanner reports from firefighters on the scene, in the vicinity of mile marker 3 west of Willits. The fire has spread from the railroad tracks to the ridge. We will continue to update as more information is available.
Drivers on Highway 20 near the Willits KOA should take caution and as resources are responding now and more fire trucks may be on their way. An air response is also underway, according to scanner traffic.
We’ll update as more information is available.
