NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters on Thursday continued to build fire line and increase containment on two wildland fires burning in northern Mendocino County, while more resources were released from the incident.

The North Pass Fires continued to hold at a total of 41,983 acres on Thursday, with containment now at 70 percent, according to Cal Fire and the US Forest Service.

The fires, located in the Williams Valley 10 miles northeast of Covelo, were sparked by lightning on Saturday, Aug. 18.

A total of 16 structures have been destroyed to date, with nine injuries reported, according to the latest report.

Some evacuations remain in effect along Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1) and Mendocino Pass Road (Forest Highway 7), Cal Fire and the US Forest Service reported.

The Covelo Ranger District north of Mendocino Pass Road to the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forest boundaries also remains under closure order, although the closure area is being reevaluated each afternoon, officials reported.

Personnel and resources continued to be rolled back on Thursday. Approximately 901 personnel were on scene, along with 34 engines, 15 fire crews, one air tanker, five helicopters, five bulldozers and 24 water tenders.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .