How to resolve AdBlock issue? NORTH COAST, Calif. – A wildland fire complex in northern Mendocino County continued to grow on Monday, destroying another structure in its path.
The two-fire Pass Complex reached 5,700 acres by mid-morning, with firefighters getting 10-percent containment on it, according to Cal Fire Mendocino Unit spokesperson Julie Cooley.
The fires have been burning in heavy timber in the Williams Valley area, 10 miles northeast of Covelo, since Saturday morning. Cal Fire has not yet estimated a time for containment.
Cooley said the complex is showing rapid rates of spread with extreme fire behavior.
By Monday morning, the fire had burned another outbuilding, bringing the total to two that had been destroyed, according to Cooley.
No evacuations had been ordered, but Cooley said there were road closures, including Traveler’s Home Trail and Hams Pass/Blands Cove Road above Traveler’s Home Trailhead.
Resources assigned on Monday morning included 618 personnel, 41 fire engines, 26 fire crews, 14 bulldozers, three airtankers, one helicopter and10 water tenders, Cooley reported.
Cal Fire and the US Forest Service have unified command of the complex. Cooley said a federal Type 2 team is anticipated to arrive at the fire later Monday to take over full command.
The complex has been sending smoke south into the rest of Mendocino County as well as Lake County.
The fire prompted the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District to issue an air quality alert for inland Mendocino County on Sunday evening. The district also issued an air quality alert for Covelo/Round Valley based on high readings recorded in the area.
Both alerts were expected to be extended after they expired Monday morning, according to the district.
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