[UPDATE 5:55 p.m.] Fire Near Hwy 101 North of Willits; It’s Affecting Traffic

A fire began burning about 4:30 p.m. alongside Hwy 101 north of Willits near Ryan Creek Road. The fire began on the east side of the road and is already burning hot. One trucker tells us that he could feel “the heat through the window of my peterbilt.”

The red marker below indicates roughly where the fire is burning.

The Incident Commander is reporting that the traffic is a mess. He also said that the fire is burning at a slow rate of speed and is currently an 1/8 to a 1/4 acre “in a very difficult spot.”

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: According to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, the northbound lane of Hwy 101 is blocked. Northbound traffic has been diverted into one of the southbound lanes.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: Photo from a reader:

UPDATE 5:44 p.m.: Resources are being let go from the fire which is usually a sign that the fire is coming under control.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: The Incident Commander believes that Hwy 101 should be clear in about 30 to 40 minutes.