[UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: Fire Is Contained] Humboldt Resources Heading to Mendocino County After New Fire Breaks Out Southwest of Covelo

A new fire started southwest of Covelo around mile marker 9 on State Route 162. [Image from AlertCalifornia]

The CHP Traffic Incident Information Page is reporting that a truck crashed about 5:47 p.m. into the embankment and caught fire at mile marker 10.5. We don’t know that the two are related but it seems likely.

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.

UPDATE 6:14 p.m.: The fire is currently two acres moving at a moderate rate of spread.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: The vehicle is fully engulfed in flames.

UPDATE 6:27 p.m.: The Incident Commander reports that the fire is about 10 to 12 acres.

The CHP page is reporting the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department will be stopping eastbound traffic on State Route 162 just west of 8 Mile Bridge. Meanwhile, Round Valley Tribal will close 162 at mile marker 9.62.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.:

This is the vehicle on fire on Highway 162.
[Photo provided by Sky Rose]

UPDATE 8:57: Scanner traffic indicates a firefighter at the scene of the Rios Incident requires an ambulance respond Code 3 (with lights and siren) after an injury that resulted in lacerations on his neck.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department just sent out a Nixle message, “Fire is contained, one lane of traffic is open at this time, fire still on scene.”