COVELO, Calif. – The closure order for the North Pass Fire area was adjusted on Tuesday, reopening Forest Highway 7 between the Eel River Station and Mendocino Pass, while maintaining the closure within most of the fire perimeter on the Mendocino National Forest.

Closure Order Number 08-12-14 will go into effect at midnight tonight, replacing Order Number 08-12-13.

While it opens up FH7, Forest Road M4 at FH7 north to Road M2 remains closed, as well as Forest Road M2 between M4 and Green Springs.  

The closures were in response to the North Pass Fire, which started Saturday, Aug. 18. It has consumed approximately 41,983 acres north of FH7 between Anthony Peak and the community of Covelo. On Tuesday evening it remained at 97-percent containment.

Access to the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness on the Covelo Ranger District remains closed from the southern portion near FH7 to the Forest border to the north.  

The closure also extends to the western edge of the Forest.

While FH7 is once again open, drivers should still watch for increased traffic in the area.

The closure area includes popular recreation sites both inside and outside the wilderness.

Residents and landowners or lessees of land within the closure area are exempt from the order to the extent necessary to access their property.

“We are happy to restore access to the forest on FH7 again,” said Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “We are asking the public to respect the closure order for the remainder of the North Pass Fire area, including M2, M4 and the wilderness and the many roads and trails within the area. This will help us maintain public and firefighter safety as we continue suppression efforts to achieve control of the North Pass Fire.”

Violation of the closure order 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.

For more information, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or contact the forest at 530-934-3316.