[UPDATE 6:01 p.m.] Vegetation Fire Ignites Southwest of Willits

Firefighters are converging on rural area southwest of Willits after a vegetation fire ignited in the afternoon heat. The incident is being referred to as the “Walker Fire”.

Scanner traffic beginning around 2:40 p.m. indicated the fire was near the intersection of Walker Lake Road and Lake Shore Drive with three reporting parties describing gray smoke in the area.

Images from AlertCalifornia fire cameras corroborate the reports with clear views of a gray view smoke plume seen in the camera from Laughlin Ridge.

A helicopter in the area reported the fire is between one-quarter and one-half acre in size growing and a slow rate of spread. The fire reportedly is spreading downhill away from a structure.

As of 2:52 p.m., ground resources are still making their way to the scene.

Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.