UPDATE 2:55 p.m. — Some resources have been recalled from the fire in the Anderson Valley. The Chamberlain Creek inmate crew has been cancelled, and both the Cal Fire 101 copter, and an air tanker have left the fire and are returning to base. There are also no longer any aircraft in the vicinity of the small blaze in Brooktrails, a good sign that that fire has mostly been brought under control. Looking from the Little Lake Valley, there did not appear to be a visible smoke plume coming from Brooktrails.
One small note: The exact status of a fire can be a little confusing and subtle, and firefighters use a variety of terms. Often with small fires, “forward progress,” that is growth of the fire, is stopped before the fire is officially “contained.” Containment refers to a process of getting firefighting lines, of hose, and often fire breaks, all around a fire — a process that gives firefighters confidence that they can keep a fire within a given perimeter. But with smaller fires, they may burn through the driest brush, or hit a natural barrier, or just not grow very fast, before containment is achieved — in these cases, firefighters will say that forward progress has been stopped.
In either case, once a fire has begun it is often many hours after control, or forward progress has been stopped, or containment, before the burning and smoke actually stops. Often a crew of firefighters stay on the scene to mop up, and monitor for hotspots, to make sure the fire doesn’t restart.
We try to reflect the language firefighters use, and be sensitive to the fact that they are making informed and cautious assessments about the exact status of a fire. So hopefully this little explanation was useful to you, our readers, in unpacking that a bit.
WILLITS, 7/6/19 — Two vegetation fires broke out in the last hour or so, in Mendocino County. One in Brooktrails, appears to have been controlled to some extent, and another in the Anderson Valley which started more recently.
Several engines, different departments, including the Chamberlain Creek inmate crew, as well as a Cal Fire helicopter and at least one air tanker, are responding. The air tanker and helicopter had been circling the fire in Brooktrails, and departed that fire to fly directly to the Anderson Valley.
We will be updating as we get more information. If you are on the scene feel free to message us or call: (707) 506-6397