[Update: Tankers Released] Additional Resources Incoming for Vegetation Fire Near the Southern Humboldt Community Park

The Kimtu Fire from a distance [Image by Ryan Hutson]

Cal Fire, Garberville Fire, Redway Fire, a dozer, two water tenders, and Cal Fire air support were requested to the scene. After taking off from Rohnerville, Tanker 96 was cancelled though Tanker 91 from Ukiah, and Air Attack 120 and helicopter 902 continued to what is now being called the Kimtu Fire.

Just before landing at Rohnerville, the pilot of Tanker 96 asked if he should land or return to the Kimtu Fire. Tanker 96 is now back en route to join the other Cal Fire aircraft fighting the fire.

Air Attack’s first report when arriving on scene estimates the fire to be 5 acres in size with a moderate rate of spread. The pilot stated that the fire is being pushed by a west wind and has moderate potential.

We will continue to update as this develops.

Update 3:44 p.m.: The Alert California wildfire cameras have visual on the Kimtu Fire.

The Kimtu Fire can be seen from the Alert California Pratt Mountain 2 cameras.

Our reporter, Ryan Hutson, is on scene.

[Images by Ryan Hutson]

Update 3:55 p.m.: An additional helicopter with crew, additional ground crews, and an additional type 1 engine has been requested.

Update 4:04 p.m.: The two additional tankers and one additional helicopter requested have been cancelled. Air Attack 120, copter 902, and tankers 91 & 96 remain committed to the fire.

Update 4:13 p.m.: Lauren Schmitt from our sister news organization, KMUD News, reports that the fire, originally in grassland, has wrapped around the dog park and is burning the madrone tree in the field near the Kimtu entrance to the park. The fire, she reports, is spreading to the tree canopy.

One nearby resident has been evacuated according to Schmitt.

Update 4:17 p.m.: Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell has posted the video of the Kimtu Fire below to her Facebook page.

Update 4:21 p.m.: Tankers 91 and 96 have been released to Ukiah and Rohnerville respectively, both loaded – a good sign that the ground crews and helicopter 902 can handle the Kimtu Fire. Additionally, smoke visible on the Alert California Pratt Mountain 2 camera appears to be dissipating.

Screenshot of the Alert California Pratt Mountain 2 camera around 4:22 pm

Update 4:32 p.m.: A side-by-side comparison of the smoke from the Kimtu Fire as firefighters work to extinguish the blaze. The images, taken by Linda Parkinson, are from northeast of Garberville, looking southwest toward the Southern Humboldt Community Park. The town of Garberville lies between.

Update 4:46 p.m.: KMUD News spoke with Jeremy Ward, Public Information Officer for Cal Fire, who stated that the Kimtu Fire stands at approximately 10 acres. KMUD News Director, Lauren Schmitt stated that a single helicopter remains on scene dropping buckets of water near the only residence threatened during the blaze. In an interview with Schmitt, the resident stated they walked out of their home to see a wall of flames. But, thanks to the diligent efforts of firefighters on the ground and in the air, his home still stands – as does the SHCP skate ramp.

Update: Photos from the Kimtu Fire as Official Announce ‘Forward Progress has been Stopped’