NORTH COAST, Calif. — Firefighters are working to fully contain a wildland fire that began on Wednesday afternoon and led to the evacuation of nearby homes and an animal shelter.
The Broiler fire began at 2:44 p.m. Wednesday on Bel Arbres Road at Uva Drive in Redwood Valley, Cal Fire reported.
By Wednesday night, Cal Fire said the fire’s forward progress had stopped. By that point it had burned 80 acres and was 20% contained.
Fire resources are remaining at the scene overnight to establish control lines, Cal Fire said.
Eighty structures are threatened and one has been destroyed, officials said.
Cal Fire said mandatory evacuations remain in place south of Uva Place from Highway 101 to Linex Drive and south of Uva Drive, and Uva Drive south to Central Avenue to the Highway 101 off-ramp.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Mendocino College gym, 1000 Hensley Creek Road in Ukiah, Cal Fire reported.
Road closures are in effect on Uva Drive at Highway 101, Uva Drive at Central Avenue and West Road at Vineyard Oaks.
Assigned resources include 15 engines, five water tenders, two helicopters, two hand crews, two dozers and 135 personnel, Cal Fire said.
The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino reported on its Facebook page that the fire began near its shelter, which necessitated evacuating 140 animals from the facility.
Animals were taken to foster homes or a veterinary facility until they can be returned to the shelter, possibly on Thursday morning, the organization reported.
The Humane Society said this is the first time since 2017 that its staff has had to evacuate animals from the shelter. They are seeking donations to help with the needs of the animals and in order to purchase equipment for future emergencies.
Cal Fire said the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
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