How to resolve AdBlock issue? NORTH COAST, Calif. – A wildland fire complex in northern Mendocino County grew by more than 5,000 acres over the past day, sending more smoke south into Lake County.
The lightning-caused North Pass Fires reached 17,820 acres Thursday morning, with 10 percent containment, according to Cal Fire and the US Forest Service, which have unified command of the incident.
Burning since early last Saturday morning in the Williams Valley, 10 miles northeast of Covelo, the fires have burned into the Mendocino National Forest and have headed in the direction of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness area.
Officials said evacuations remain in place in areas east of Covelo.
On Thursday there were approximately 962 personnel assigned to the North Pass Fires, along with 93 engines, 26 fire crews, two airtankers, six helicopters, 37 dozers and 25 water tenders.
Lake County residents were seeing more smoke and haze in the air basin on Thursday, which county Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart confirmed was coming from the North Pass Fires.
He said the district had set up an air monitor in Upper Lake as a result of the fires.
The latest readings on Thursday morning showed air quality levels were at 50 percent of the state health standard, when normally they are 10 percent.
“It’s elevated but not above any health standard,” Gearhart said.
An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino for more information.
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