[UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: Suspect Still at Large] Firefighters Responding to Multiple Possible Arson Fires Around Ukiah, Law Enforcement Searching for Suspect; Evacuation Warning

Multiple fires (at least four) have broken out around Ukiah. Law enforcement is searching for a Hispanic or Indian male with a ponytail wearing all black clothing on a bicycle as a possible suspect in starting the fires, according to the scanner.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation warning fro Jefferson Lane to Oak Knoll Road.

Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office tweeted the evacuation warning above and the following photo at 5:23 p.m. They tweeted, “Fire Evacuation WARNING for Jefferson Lane to Oak Knoll Road in the Ukiah area. If you live on any of the streets in this area, be prepared to evacuate.”

UPDATE 5:45 p.m.: Message from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department on Facebook:

We currently have active fires on
1) South Dora at Fircrest, another
2) at the end of Plant Road, another
3) between Gobelet and Hwy 253, another
4) at Norgard Land, another
5) one unconfirmed behind Walmart
WE NEED YOUR HELP – BOLO
We are looking for a person of interest, described as an Indian or Hispanic adult male, dressed in all black clothing with a pony tail on a bicycle last seen in the south end of Ukiah. If you see someone fitting this description please call 911 immediately.

UPDATE 5:51 p.m.: Photo from Matt LaFever of the fire near Gobalet and Hwy 253:

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: According to the Incident Commander speaking over the scanner, forward progress stopped on all fires. (Good work, firefighters!)

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office tweeted at 6 p.m., “The FIRES at 1) South Dora at Fircrest, another 2) at the end of Plant Road, another 3) between Gobelet and Hwy 253, another 4) at Norgard Land, another 5) one unconfirmed behind Walmart are contained. Thank you all first responders. Evac warning is still in place at this time.”

UPDATE 6:10 p.m. Photo from Matt LaFever showing how firefighters saved a structure at Fircrest and South Dora.

UPDATE 6:17 p.m.: A first responder says there are new fire starts at Talmage and Babcock east of Hwy 101. He reported seeing the suspect walking north on Babcock towards Gobi.

UPDATE 6:31 p.m.: Smoke blowing across Babcock. Photo from Matt LaFever.

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: There is no longer any traffic going east to west on Talmage Road. First responders are directing cars to turn around.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office tweeted at 6:39 p.m. that the evacuation warning for the South Dora area has been lifted.

UPDATE 6:56 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook, “We have detained the person of interest. Thank you everyone for your help. There was also another fire set near the Talmage Bridge but it has been contained.”

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook, “Person detained on Talmage Road is not a suspect and is being released. The search is still ongoing.”

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook, “6th fire started and extinguished about 30 minutes ago at the end of Airport Park. Several people have been stopped but so far there have been no positives matches. Still looking for an adult male, possibly Native American or Hispanic, wearing all black clothing, ponytail on a bike. We’ve stopped several people but all have been determined not to be involved.”