Multiple Fires on Hwy 101 Today Were ‘Vehicle Related,’ Says Cal Fire

According to Cal Fire spokesperson Laura Coleman, the multiple fires today started alongside Hwy 101 between Palmer Boulevard and the Finch Creek area were ‘vehicle related.’ The fires which started about 1:34 p.m. are believed to have burned approximately five acres.

Multiple agencies including Cal Fire, Fortuna Fire and Loleta Fire responded to the blazes which temporarily closed northbound Hwy 101.

Coleman said that Cal Fire had determined the cause of the fire by interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the scene.

The “Grade” incident which was first reported to be a vegetation fire burning near Loleta turned out to be an unrelated and permitted debris fire, said Coleman.

Firefighters quench flames beside Hwy 101. [Photos in this story by Jacki Gardenhire.]