NORTH COAST, Calif. – Two lightning-caused fires burning in northern Mendocino County scorched nearly 1,400 more acres on Saturday, along with four more structures, with the total acreage on the fires now topping 40,000 acres.
The North Pass Fires, burning for the last two weeks in the Williams Valley area 10 miles northeast of Covelo, had burned 40,885 acres by Saturday evening, and was 58 percent contained.
The fires are burning both on state and federal lands, including the Mendocino National Forest.
The fires burned another two homes and two outbuildings on Saturday, bringing the total to 16 – seven residences and nine outbuildings.
Approximately 59 structures remain threatened, officials reported, and evacuation orders remain in effect for some areas near Covelo.
Fire officials are asking area residents to stay off the roads within the fire area from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Two additional injuries were reported on Saturday, bringing the total to nine.
Cal Fire and the US Forest Service, which share unified command on the incident, had 1,683 fire personnel assigned on Saturday, as well as 156 fire engines, 24 fire crews, two airtankers, 12 helicopters, 15 bulldozers and 34 water tenders.
Smoke from the fire again pushed into the Lake County air basin, causing a haze over parts of the county.
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