Scanner traffic beginning around 3:38 p.m. indicates a full wildland fire response has been dispatched for a vegetation fire burning in Redwood Valley.
The reporting party described the fire as being located near the intersection of Road K and West Road and currently a half-acre in size burning in dry grass.
UPDATE 3:47 p.m. The Incident Commander is reporting the fire is burning in the grass with a light wind starting to hit “flashy fuel.” No structures are immediately threatened and the fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread.
There is reportedly low potential for spread with a creek and vineyard along one side of the fire.
UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: There are reports that the fire is starting to spot across a creek into a vineyard. Resources are on scene assessing whether there is a need to request even more resources. Structures are not currently threatened but law enforcement is suggesting residents to the south be notified about the circumstances.
UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office published the following information about the incident on their Twitter:
Situational Awareness: Wildfire in the Redwood Valley area, near West Road / Road K, No further action needed at this time, Use caution and avoid the area.
— Mendocino Sheriff (@MendoSheriff) July 8, 2022
UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: Reports from the scene indicate the fire’s eastward forward progress has been stopped while the “heavy burning” continues along the west side of the river. Emergency personnel are closing off West Road and Road K. Three more water tenders are being asked to the scene.
An evacuation warning has been issued by MCSO:
A Redwood Valley resident gave us permission to publish this image they took of the video
UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: Multiple first responders are reporting that the fire’s forward progress has been considerably slowed as it approached the Russian River. There was a singular spot fire that popped up across the river that has been extinguished. There is discussion of releasing some of the air tankers from the incident.
UPDATE 4:33 p.m.: Smoke from the fire has decreased significantly and aircraft are actively being released from the incident.
UPDATE 5:04 p.m.: Resources are continuing to report control is being gained on the fire. MCSO has not called off the evacuation warnings but the status of the fire suggests they will not escalate to orders.
The following image by fire photographer Peter Armstrong depicts a helicopter dumping water on the fire.
UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the evacuation warning.
UPDATE 8:44 p.m.: The Grove Fire is now 100% contained after growing to an estimated size of 8.63 acres. Firefighters will only be on the scene for another half an hour.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
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Thank you for the updates.
again, no Nixle or MCSO alerts, even though we have signed up numerous times.
Scott, same issue here. Signed up for Nixle, MCSO, Duty Watch, and Ever something. Ziltch info received. Heard the emergency vehicles drive by and heard the planes and helicopters overhead.