UPDATE 9:25 p.m. — Forward progress of the Shimmins Fire has been stopped and firefighters have the fire partially contained. The situation is looking good and some additional resources have been recalled.
UPDATE 8:40 p.m. — Highway 162 remains open, though there are firefighters and engines in the roadway so exercise caution. The Rios Incident off of Hwy. 162 is controlled now and being mopped up, according to CalFire firefighters on the scene.
UPDATE 8:15 p.m. — The California Highway Patrol has placed a road closure at the intersection of Shimmins Ridge Road and U.S. Route 101. There may also be traffic control on Hwy. 162.
UPDATE 7:52 p.m. — There was some confusion around the naming of the fire on that is burning on the 162, it is apparently being called the Rios Incident. Because of the naming confusing it seemed as though there were two fires along the 162, but there is only one.
According to scanner traffic, crews are working on putting containment line around the fire on Highway 162. The air attack is continuing at the Shimmins Incident but CalFire does not conduct air attacks after dark.
A very small fire, about 10 ft. by 10 ft. was reported on Hwy. 20, but it appears that that was very quickly controlled.
WILLITS, 9/4/18 — A small wildfire has broken out on Shimmins Ridge Rd. north of Willits. It’s being called the Shimmins Fire. According to CalFire the fire was about 10 acres as of about 7:15 p.m. with a moderate rate of spread, and a structure threatened. Scanner traffic indicates that firefighters are making good progress against that fire.
A second fire has broken out along Hwy. 162, at mile marker six. Scanner traffic indicates that that fire has spread into oak woodland and has potential for 20 acres. Some resources have been pulled off the Shimmins Fire to go fight the fire along Hwy. 162.
Several resources have been dispatched and at least one helicopter and a tanker were dispatched, though CalFire air support ends at sundown. As of 7:45 p.m. CalFire was sending four tankers to the fire, but scanner traffic indicates that that will be the last drop for the night.
Here is the tweet from CalFire.
#ShimminsFire Report approx 10 acres vegitation, on Shimmins Ridge Rd, Willits, moderate rate of spread-one structure threatened #MEU
— CAL FIRE Mendocino (@CALFIRE_MEU) September 5, 2018
Last night when these fires were being first reported, I heard on my scanner that at least one of these fires was likely arson, and it looks likely all of them were lit by the same arsonist. This article from Redheadedblackbelt has some details. http://kymkemp.com/2018/09/05/land-owner-near-the-shimmins-fire-north-of-willits-says-she-found-a-gas-can-and-a-neighbor-saw-a-suspicious-vehicle/#comments
Yes, we’ve followed up about that and we’ll be publishing an update soon.