The Turnout Fire, burning between Ukiah and Boonville and located near the 9000 block of Hwy 253, started last night just before 6 p.m. It has already reached 185 acres is only about 20% contained, according to Cal Fire Mendocino’s Tricia Austin.
This is Mendocino County’s first major wildfire of the season the a cause has yet to be determined. Austin said, “It is a patchy burn in a rugged area…Steep terrain.”
She explained that firefighters in the County have been busy. They had six starts in last night.
A Twitter post from Press Democrat photographer Ken Porter indicates firefighters battling the Turnout Fire on Sunday night were “forced from the fire line” as a result of gusty winds and flames.”
More from the #TurnoutFire in Mendocino County Sunday evening, April 18, 2021. At one point, firefighters were forced from the fire line by gusty winds and flames. At last report, about 50 acres had burned. @NorthBayNews #CAwx #FireSeason pic.twitter.com/6zT4bvmrJf
— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) April 19, 2021
As a result of the fire, PG&E was required to stop power to nearby powerlines.
While no structures are currently threatened, Austin explained, “The afternoon winds are always a challenge.”
Austin said, “There are five engines, four hand crews, one water tender, one chief officer, one safety officer, and one helicopter on the fire” this morning.
Cal Fire’s incident page states, “Personnel will remain at scene throughout the day working to strengthen containment.”
UPDATE 7:17 p.m.
As per an updated provided by Calfire Mendocino, the Turnout Incident grew fifteen acres throughout the day totally 200 acres as of 7:00 p.m. with 20% containment.
The update stated personnel will “remain at the scene throughout the night working to strengthen containment and extinguish hotspots.” The terrain was described as “steep, rugged terrain with difficult access.”
