MENDOCINO CO., 3/5/26 — Firefighters were dispatched Thursday to a fire at a small mobile home north of Ukiah, according to the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority.
In an interview, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Battalion Chief Ryan Nelson said that local fire departments were dispatched to the structure fire around 12:15 p.m. at 800 Ford Road.
Once they arrived, crews found a single-wide mobile residence on fire. Nelson said that the fire was about 12 feet by 30 feet wide and that it was threatening two vehicles outside of the residence.
According to Nelson, the male resident reported that he smelled smoke inside his bathroom and found a fire in that vicinity. He tried to mitigate it using a fire extinguisher, but the fire had gotten bigger and out of control.
Once fire crews arrived—including an engine from the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department, two engines from the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, and an engine from Cal Fire—they worked to put out the fire, salvage belongings, look for embers or hot spots, and mop up the scene.
Investigators believe the fire may have originated in the hot water heater closet, but the official cause is still under investigation.
The resident was uninjured and evacuated the premises.
Nelson said the resident declined assistance from the American Red Cross but has a place to stay nearby.
“He will not be able to move back in, it’s a loss,” Nelson said.