Firefighters Knock Down Bell Fire Sparked by Burning Camper; ‘Unstable’ Man Detained Nearby
A vegetation fire broke out Sunday morning, July 13, after a camper caught fire approximately three miles up Bell Springs Road from Highway 101. The blaze, reported around 9:05 a.m., quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation, prompting a multi-agency response.
Firefighters arriving on scene encountered what they described as an “unstable male subject believed to be associated with the camper.” Earlier reports indicated a naked man had been seen dancing with a spear in the general area, though it is not yet confirmed whether the incidents are related.
Crews from both Humboldt and Mendocino counties—including Laytonville Fire, Salmon Creek Fire, Cal Fire, dozers, strike teams, and Cal Fire Copter 603—responded swiftly. At least two tankers were also requested. Thanks to their efforts, the fire was knocked down before it could spread further into the rugged terrain.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office issued a Nixle alert at 9:51 a.m., urging the public to avoid the 3000 block of Bell Springs Road while emergency crews worked the scene.
You can read the full alert here: https://nixle.us/GGEDR
More information will be shared if it becomes available.
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Oh, I’d certainly like to know if they are related incidents … So much intrigue, one could write a book!
Huge thanks to all those who responded so quickly.
Kym, would you mind reprinting all the fire department contacts – now would be a great time for people to show their support
I’m a great trimmer
I leaf with wild abandon
Will it get cold there?
There’s no trimming here that pays worth anything. Maybe 80 bucks a pound if you’re lucky.
Was the unstable camper with a spear dancing around a campfire?
Unstable camper
I tried using my new spear!
Burn the thing level
From the article, no — “a naked man had been seen dancing with a spear.” Although I like the funny imagery of “the unstable camper with a spear dancing around a campfire”.
Are they sure it was a spear. LOL
Salmon Creek Fire?
FReeeeedooMMMmmm!!!
Only in Humboldt.
“Only in Humboldt.”
Except this one’s in Mendo.
Correct, I was just reading some other OIH pages while posting. Sue me.
Aieee Gunga
Why is this considered a sign of instability? I dance around naked at night with an axe and my calculator as a neck pendant. Specifically, a double bit swamping axe and a HP – 41C calculator.
Isnt there such a thing as freedom anymore?
Hey, on your own property or where allowed, let your freak flag fly however you see fit. In public dancing next to the fire you likely had some involvement with, not so much.
Freedom is illegal.
What’s a swamping axe? I know a swamper to be a sawyer’s puller and assistant. They don’t carry double bit axes rather falling axes for driving wedges.
Brilliant !
Ok- not sure if naked man dancing w spear was related to unstable man starting fire because….people are crazy up on Bell Springs! And naked spear dancing is considered fairly normal activity..
Summertime and balmy weather has spurned the reemergence of Mendo Man. Add meth and reefer and shake well.
Why would salmon creek fire go to that?