Last night at approximately 10:15., Ukiah Valley Fire Authority and Cal Fire personnel responded to a garbage pile fire adjacent to Ukiah’s softball fields on the east side of Highway 101 near Orr Creek Bridge.
Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Battalion Chief Eric Singleton told us on-scene the “Field Incident” was a pile of trash resulting from a recent homeless encampment clean-up and deemed the fire “suspicious” and under investigation.
Two days ago, Battalion Chief Singleton explained, Cal Trans personnel removed debris associated with a homeless encampment underneath Orr Creek Bridge. It was that debris pile firefighters found burning.
The debris pile was approximately 50 yards from the bridge that local homeless were recently displaced from.
Scanner traffic reported bystanders heard gunshots near the area of the fire. Battalion Chief Singleton said the sound was actually propane tanks from the garbage pile exploding.
Firefighters were tasked with agitating the totality of the debris pile measuring at least 20’x20’ and dousing the entirety in water. Battalion Chief Singleton explained that if they did not saturate every part of the debris pile, pockets could reignite.
If any members of the public witnessed any suspicious activity regarding this incident, contacted the Ukiah Valley Fire District at (707)462-7921.
