Possible Tornado Rips Roof Off Fresno County Fire Station

No injuries reported as CAL FIRE station sustains major damage from rare weather event.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A possible tornado ripped the roof off a CAL FIRE station in the town of Tranquillity, Fresno County, on Tuesday. Witnesses reported seeing a small funnel cloud touch down, sending debris from the station's roof flying across the street into an almond orchard. The fire station was unoccupied at the time, as the crew was responding to a call in a nearby town.

Why it matters

Tornadoes are extremely rare in California's Central Valley, making this an unusual and newsworthy weather event. The damage to the fire station raises concerns about the ability of emergency services to respond effectively in the aftermath of a tornado or other severe storm.

The details

Moments after the initial tornado report, the roof of CAL FIRE Station 95 on West Morton Road was ripped off, with debris scattered across the street. Battalion Chief Matthew Mosley said the station's crew was out responding to a call in Mendota when the incident occurred, narrowly avoiding any injuries. The damage was primarily focused on the bay where the fire engine is parked, leaving a large hole in the station's structure.

  • The possible tornado touched down on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • The CAL FIRE crew was responding to a call in Mendota when the initial reports came in.

The players

CAL FIRE Station 95

A fire station operated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in the town of Tranquillity, Fresno County.

Matthew Mosley

A CAL FIRE Battalion Chief who oversees the station that was damaged by the possible tornado.

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What they’re saying

“Rarely does one actually touch down and cause damage. With this job, just like with the public, you always have to be ready for everything. Fire Department, we're not exempt from disasters happening, so we've got to respond and react.”

— Matthew Mosley, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief (KFSN)

“There's no damage to the residents or barracks of our station crews, and we just want to reiterate to the communities that our services aren't affected by this damage. We're still going to be here and doing our job.”

— Matthew Mosley, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief (KFSN)

What’s next

CAL FIRE is currently assessing the damage and working to repair the station's roof and bay area. The agency is also investigating the cost of the repairs and identifying vendors to complete the work.

The takeaway

This rare tornado event in Fresno County highlights the need for emergency services to be prepared for unexpected natural disasters, even in areas where such severe weather is uncommon. The quick response and resilience of the CAL FIRE crew demonstrates their commitment to serving the community despite the damage to their own station.