Fresno County CAL FIRE Station Finds Temporary Solution After Roof Destroyed by Funnel Cloud

Normal operations continue at Fresno County Fire Station 95 in Tranquillity after intense winds ripped off the roof on Monday.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Fresno County Fire Station 95 in Tranquillity has found a temporary solution to continue normal operations after intense winds ripped off the roof of the station on Monday. The National Weather Service determined the damage was caused by straight-line winds, not a tornado, and crews have set up a temporary plywood, tarp, and sandbag solution to keep the bay dry until the roof can be replaced.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the resilience and quick thinking of first responders in the face of unexpected weather events that can threaten critical infrastructure. The ability of the Fresno County Fire Department to maintain operations despite the roof damage is crucial for providing emergency services to the local community.

The details

The intense winds, estimated between 30-50 mph, ripped the roof off Fresno County Fire Station 95 in Tranquillity on Monday. Fortunately, no one was inside the station at the time, preventing potential injuries. The National Weather Service determined the damage was caused by straight-line winds, not a tornado, though the winds did produce a funnel cloud. Crews have set up a temporary solution using plywood, tarps, and sandbags to keep the bay dry until the roof can be fully replaced.

  • The roof was destroyed on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Fresno County Fire Station 95

A CAL FIRE station located in Tranquillity, Fresno County, California that had its roof destroyed by intense winds.

Zach Irion

A captain with the Fresno County Fire Department who spoke about the incident and the temporary solution put in place.

Carlos Molina

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service who explained the characteristics of the straight-line winds that caused the damage.

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What they’re saying

“We are really fortunate that the crew was not here at the time. One, the engine in the bay would cause significant damage to the engine and two we are constantly going in and out of the bay so someone being in there could've suffered some major injuries.”

— Zach Irion, Captain, Fresno County Fire Department (abc30.com)

“It was more of a funnel cloud. The characteristics of these straight line winds is that they can actually produce a funnel cloud because there is a little rotation that goes through them.”

— Carlos Molina, Meteorologist, National Weather Service (abc30.com)

What’s next

The Fresno County Fire Department will work to replace the roof of Station 95 as soon as possible to restore the station to full operational capacity.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the importance of preparedness and resilience for first responders, who must be able to maintain critical operations even in the face of unexpected weather events that can damage infrastructure. The quick thinking and teamwork of the Fresno County Fire Department allowed them to continue serving the community despite the roof damage.