Monte Rio fire sparked by homeless encampment

The fire, in an area above Highway 116 across from the Northwood Golf Club, was contained within an hour Friday.|
JULIE JOHNSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A hillside fire near Monte Rio along the Russian River started in a homeless encampment Friday and spread into the trees, fire officials said.

Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman said it appeared the vegetation blaze started with a campfire that grew out of control.

The fire was first reported at 11:08 a.m. in an area above Highway 116, across from the Northwood Golf Club. The area is near Ridgecrest Drive and Upper Terrace Road.

A helicopter was dropping water on the fire, which was contained to about an eighth of an acre within an hour, Cal Fire Suzie Blankenship said.

Baxman said the camp was “full of garbage” on private property among the redwoods.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor