NORTH COAST, Calif. – Late Thursday officials lifted some evacuations in areas affected by the North Pass Fires, which continue to burn in northern Mendocino County.
The two lightning-caused fires, burning for nearly two weeks 10 miles northeast of Covelo, reached 34,308 acres and 37 percent containment by Thursday night.
Cal Fire and the US Forest Service have unified command of the incident, 28 percent of which is burning in the State Responsibility Area and 72 percent on federal lands, including the Mendocino National Forest.
So far the fires have resulted in five injuries and the destruction of 11 structures.
On Thursday night the US Forest Service reported that there was a limited lifting of the evacuation order for several areas affected by the fire.
Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M1) was reopened up to Boardman Camp, while all points north along that road remain closed.
Mendocino Pass Road (Forest Highway 7) from the Eel River Work Station/Black Butte Ranch up to benchmark 2444 (second driveway entrance to Bauer Subdivision) also was reopened; all areas east of the intersection to Forest Road M4 remain closed and within the evacuation order.
Residents will not be allowed to drive on the roads between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., the agency reported. Only residents in possession of a valid identification with a local address will be allowed into open areas.
Approximately 2,110 fire personnel were assigned to the incident on Thursday. Also on scene were 159 engines, 30 fire crews, two air tankers, 13 helicopters, 29 bulldozers and 31 water tenders.
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