MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials work is continuing to contain the East fire in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness, with growth flat and containment rising.

The fire continues to smolder deep in the No Name drainage, 23 miles northeast of
Covelo. It is holding steady at 410 acres and is now 65 percent percent contained, officials said.

Forest officials said the fire is spreading into an area with sparse vegetation and slowing down naturally on its own; minimal activity is expected.

After several days of brushing trail and hauling supplies, a pack train and a California Conservation Corps crew was in place at the East fire basecamp on Buck Ridge as of Friday morning.

Using pack mules and the CCCs to support personnel on the East Fire reduces the need for helicopter use on the incident. Officials said the last helicopter was released Thursday.

Personnel on the incident are monitoring the fire and brushing the trail on East Ridge south toward Lucky Lake. Forest officials said this trail work will provide access for personnel to regularly check on the fire to ensure it stays within the designated confinement area as summer
heats up and the vegetation gets drier,

“The confinement strategy we chose for this incident has required little active suppression since it started June 17, which has helped reduce risk and exposure to our firefighters and allowed fire to play its natural role on the landscape,” said Incident Commander Terry Warlick. “We will continue to evaluate the situation and assess the long-term weather outlook to meet our management objectives on this incident.”