HIGHLAND SPRINGS — A huge column of smoke that appeared near Kelseyville shortly after 3 p.m. Monday signaled that another local wildfire had ignited.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) and local firefighters responded to a fire off Highland Springs Road.
Within a few hours the fire had grown from 50 to 200 acres. At 8:45 p.m. Monday officials at the CDF command center reported the fire was 50-percent contained.
About 80 firefighters were on scene along with five engines, four dozers, three strike teams and an unspecified number of aircraft.
The county”s Public Works Depeartment issued an advisory in the late afternoon warning that, because of the wildfire, Highland Springs Road was closed to all traffic — with the exception of emergency personnel — where the pavement ended. The public was urged to avoid the area.
In other local wildland fire news, blazes continue in the Mendocino National Forest, including the Hunter wildland fire (2,700 acres; 5 percent contained; located on McCoy right, 19 miles southeast of Covelo) and the Kingsley Fire complex (contains several fires totaling 3,023 acres; 10 percent contained; 38 miles southwest of Red Bluff).
Contact Elizabeth Larson at elarson@record-bee.com.
