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Mendocino National Forest enters fire restrictions
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is entering into fire restrictions beginning Friday, July 13, due to dry conditions and increased risk of wildfires. The fire restrictions will continue through the end of fire season.
Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal fires or stoves are prohibited on the National Forest unless in the following designated recreation sites:
- Grindstone Ranger District – Red Bluff Recreation Area and Big Springs Day Use Area; Whitlock, Kingsley Glade, Sugarfoot Glade, Three Prong, Wells Cabin, Sugar Springs, Letts Lake, Mill Valley, Dixie Glade, Plaskett Meadows, Masterson, Little Stony, Grey Pine, Fouts Springs, Davis Flat, South Fork, Cedar Camp, Mill Creek, North Fork and Old Mill Campgrounds.
- Upper Lake Ranger District – Fuller Grove, Fuller Group Camp, Navy Camp, Pogie Point, Oak Flat, Sunset, Middle Creek, Deer Valley, Bear Creek, Penny Pines and Lower Nye Campgrounds.
- Covelo Ranger District – Eel River, Little Doe, Howard Lake and Hammerhorn Lake Campgrounds.
Visitors should be aware that due to the Mill Fire currently burning on the Mendocino National Forest, many recreation sites in the area west of Stonyford and south of Snow Mountain Wilderness are currently closed to visitors under Order Number 08-12-07. This includes recreation areas from the Fouts Springs area through Letts Lake.
California Campfire Permits are not needed in the designated recreation sites listed. In all other areas of the Forest, lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be allowed as long as the person has a current California Campfire Permit with them.
California Campfire Permits may be obtained at any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or CAL FIRE office in California, as well as most Forest Service field employees. They may also be obtained online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/mendocino/passes-permits/recreation .
The following activities are also prohibited as part of the fire restrictions:
- Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or in the designated recreation sites listed above;
- Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame;
- Using explosives;
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks.
Forest visitors will be able to continue riding Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on designated roads and trails, provided that the vehicles are equipped with the required spark arresters.
Spark arresters are also required on chainsaws being used for people filling valid personal use wood cutting permits, and may also only be used on designated roads and trails.
“As we continue to work on the Mill Fire, we are reminded that the rugged terrain that makes the Mendocino such a remarkable place can be very conducive to the rapid spread of wildfire,” said Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “The public can help prevent wildfires, such as the Mill Fire, by respecting the fire restrictions and being careful when using anything with a flame or that can throw a spark while enjoying this spectacular forest.”
Temporary fire restrictions are put in place annually to protect natural resources and limit the threat of human-caused wildfires. Similar restrictions are going into effect on neighboring forests.
However, restrictions can vary by forest and visitors should check with the forest they plan on visiting for the latest fire restrictions and conditions.
For the Mendocino National Forest, the fire restrictions are formally referenced through Order Number 08-12-08.
Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months imprisonment or both.
Fire season typically ends in late fall following a series of drenching, measurable rains in the mountains. An announcement will follow when fire restrictions are lifted.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
Sites Complex 100-percent contained
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A nearly 4,200-acre complex of five wildland fires near Maxwell in Colusa County has been fully contained.
The Sites Complex, burning since last Sunday, was reported 100-percent contained at approximately 4,185 acres Thursday evening, according to a Cal Fire report issued just after 7:30 p.m.
While fully contained, Cal Fire said smoke may still be visible within the complex’s control lines.
The Sites Complex’s full containment came a day ahead of Cal Fire’s previous estimates.
No structures were destroyed and no evacuations had been required, but Cal Fire reported a total of five minor injuries as a result of the fires.
On Thursday evening, approximately 712 personnel, 37 engines, 26 fire crews and four bulldozers remained on the scene of the fire, located along Sites Lodoga Road between the town of Sites and East Park Road, according to Cal Fire.
While some personnel already had been released from the incident, firefighters and equipment are expected to remain on scene for mop up operations for several days, Cal Fire said.
No cause for the fire has yet been reported.
Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4 will be transitioning command of the incident to the local Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
UPDATE: Mill Fire grows, Sites Complex containment increases
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Officials said Thursday morning that a wildland fire burning in the Mendocino National Forest had grown in acreage but another near Maxwell was being held to its lines and getting closer to full containment.
The Mill Fire in the Colusa County side of the forest, burning near Upper Letts Lake, was at 17,300 acres and 38-percent containment on Thursday morning, while the Sites Complex, also in Colusa County, remained at 4,185 acres, with its containment increasing to 90 percent.
Causes have not yet been determined for either fire.
Approximately 1,549 firefighting personnel were on scene Thursday morning. Dedicated resources for the Mill include 29 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, eight helicopters, 100 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders, the Mendocino National Forest reported.
Forest officials said the Mill Fire had resulted in another injury since Wednesday, bringing the total to three.
Five outbuildings have been destroyed, and there have been evacuations from campgrounds in the area of the fire and from small nearby communities, according to the report. The cost of the fire so far is estimated at $4.5 million.
Forest officials expect the fire to be fully contained on Friday, July 20.
Meanwhile, on Thursday the Sites Complex had 712 personnel, 37 engines, 24 fire crews, one helicopter, four bulldozers and seven water tenders, Cal Fire reported.
There have been four minor injuries as a result of the fire, which so far hasn’t destroyed any structures or required any evacuations.
Cal Fire said the Sites Complex is anticipated to be fully contained this Friday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Mill Fire acreage and containment climb slightly Wednesday
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters continued to make progress on a wildland fire that’s been burning in the Mendocino National Forest for nearly a week.
The Mill Fire, burning north and east of Upper Letts Lake within the Colusa County side of the forest since last Saturday, reached 16,800 acres late Wednesday, according to Mendocino National Forest officials.
The fire edged up about 800 acres on Wednesday, with containment improving to 38 percent, the agency said.
Full containment is anticipated on Friday, July 20, according to the agency’s report.
The investigation is still ongoing into the cause of the fire, which has burned thousands of acres of mixed brush and timber, destroyed five outbuildings and resulted in two injuries, forest officials reported.
The firefighting effort to date has cost a reported $4.2 million.
Approximately 1,542 personnel were assigned to the fire on Wednesday, along with 28 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, six helicopters, 99 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders.
The incident command team reported that firefighters made good progress along the fire’s northern edge on Wednesday, with crews securing fire line and continuing mop up and patrol.
Planning also is under way for burnout operations, which officials said is used to strengthen containment lines and consume unburned fuel.
Also on Wednesday, the incident team managing the Mill Fire entered into unified command with Cal Fire due to the fire crossing into land under Cal Fire’s protection.
Smoke from the fire has led to the air quality management districts in both Mendocino and Lake counties issuing air quality alerts.
The U.S. Forest Service and the California Air Resources Board also have set up smoke monitors in affected communities including Stonyford, Fire Camp and Covelo.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
