MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – An early Saturday morning fire on the Mendocino National Forest was likely human-caused, forest officials reported.
Fire crews responded to a fire reported at 1:50 a.m. Saturday near Gravelly Valley Airstrip, located north of Lake Pillsbury on the Upper Lake Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest, according to a forest report.
The Gravelly Fire was contained at approximately one acre before 6 a.m., a report from Mendocino National Forest headquarters stated. Mop up continued throughout Saturday.
While the exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with no lightning in the area, it is likely human-caused, forest officials said.
In addition, as deer hunting in “A Zone” – in the southern portion of the Mendocino National Forest – continues, with more people in the forest, there is increased potential for human-caused fires, the report noted.
“Today marks 70 years of Smokey Bear’s fire prevention message that human-caused wildfires can be prevented by being aware and taking precautionary measures in the forest,” said acting Deputy Fire Chief Eddie Childs. “That our firefighters responded to a likely human-caused fire this morning serves as a reminder that we need to be vigilant whether we are recreating or working in the forest.”
Forest officials note that there are many unexpected things that can cause a spark – like a chain hitting rocks on a gravel road, a bullet deflecting off a rock, the heat from an exhaust pipe in tall grass or even the possibility of campfires relighting in exceedingly dry conditions. It only takes a single spark or ember to start a fire.
As hunting season continues across the forest, visitors are asked to be careful.
“The Mendocino National Forest has been very fortunate this season to not have a large wildfire,” said Childs. “But historically, many of the forest’s largest fires have been human caused, with many of those started during late summer and fall as hunters and other recreational visitors come to enjoy the forest. It’s very important for both public and firefighter safety to remain vigilant and careful with anything that could spark a fire, especially now as fire suppression resources are becoming increasingly scarce due to ongoing fire activity across the West.”
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .