Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of illegal camping with a warming fire about 11:48 p.m. Friday.
The fire in the 5600 block of East Side Calpella Road near Ukiah was observed by neighbors, who reported it to law enforcement, the MCSO stated in a news release Sunday. Deputies arrived and located Richard Cauckwell, 59, of Ukiah, next to a fire which had several orange embers, and burnt sticks within a couple feet of bushes. The hot embers were within a couple feet of dry bushes and trees.
Cauckwell’s clothing was also charred from the fire he had reportedly built. Deputies believed Cauckwell’s clothes were burnt from him not cautiously attending to the fire. Cauckwell was in possession of a torch style lighter which was used to start the fire, the MCSO stated.