How to resolve AdBlock issue? NORTH COAST, Calif. – A two-fire complex burning for the last three weeks in northern Mendocino County are nearing full containment.
The North Pass Fire, caused by lightning in the Williams Valley 10 miles northeast of Covelo on Saturday, Aug. 18, remained at a total of 41,983 acres on Friday, with containment at 76 percent.
Based on updated damage assessments, eight residences and 18 outbuildings have been destroyed to date, according to a report from the unified command of Cal Fire and the US Forest Service. Nine injuries also have occurred.
Assigned personnel were reduced to 685 on Friday, with 11 engines, 11 fire crews, one airtanker, six helicopters, five bulldozers and 24 water tenders also remaining on scene.
Officials said fire suppression repair has been ongoing for several days and will continue after full containment, which is expected on Monday, Sept. 10.
The repair work includes water bars within constructed fire line to prevent soil erosion, chipping of brush piles, repair of drainages and roads, and removal of hazardous trees.
The Forest Service said new fire starts have occurred on state land south of the main incident and smoke is still settling in the Covelo area.
Closures still remain in effect for areas of Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1) and Mendocino Pass Road (Forest Highway 7), with roads in the area to remain closed until hazards are removed and fire crews leave, officials reported.
The US Forest Service said the Covelo Ranger District north of Mendocino Pass Road to the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forest boundaries also remains under a closure order.
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