UPDATE: 12:51pm
CalFire had a crew on the fire over night, and has a crew there today. They are continuing mop up operations.
Here are some pictures from yesterday’s fire:
UPDATE: 8:05am 9/29/16
Crews worked through the night and, according to CalFire, the fire remains at 20 acres, 60% contained.
UPDATE: 6:27
The fire at the top of Oil Well Hill, dubbed the Oil Fire, is now 60% contained, with forward progress stopped at 20 acres. Firefighters have succeeded in laying down hose line around the whole fire, and are confident the fire will be fully controlled by morning according to Deputy Chief John Thomen of the Little Lake Fire Department.
One structure was lost in the fire and there have been no injuries. Crews will remain on the fire through the night. CalFire, Little Lake and other agencies remain on the fire. The number two lane of the northbound 101 remains closed, but the road is open and traffic is smooth.
Update 5:15 pm: The Oil Well Hill Fire, north of Willits, is at 15 acres and 10% contained. Brush and timber have burned. No structures appear to be endangered. CalFire, Little Lake Fire District, CHP and Mendocino County Sheriff personnel were on the scene, with a rough estimate of six hand crews, with about 15 firefighters per crew, four tankers, two choppers, three or four dozers, and 10 engines. Highway 101 remains open.
ORIGINAL:
WILLITS — A fire broke out shortly before four o’ clock this afternoon on Highway 101, near Oil Well Hill north of Willits. The fire was on the northbound shoulder of 101, climbing up the hill.
A CalFire spokeswoman said 3-5 acres of timber and brush was burning. A full wildland dispatch has been ordered. At least one chopper and a tanker have responded. Little Lake Fire and CalFire engines are on the scene.
Mendocino Voice staff, 28 September 2016
