- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Mill Fire 75-percent contained; full containment expected Wednesday
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – California’s largest wildland fire burned several hundred more acres on Monday as firefighters continued to build containment lines around it, with the progress on the fire expected to lead to full containment the middle of this week.
The Mill Fire has been burning in the Mendocino National Forest, 10 miles west of Stonyford in Colusa County, since Saturday, July 7.
The fire rose from 29,252 burned acres on Sunday night to 29,552 acres Monday morning, and held at that number throughout the day, according to a Monday evening report from the unified command team – composed of Cal Fire, the Mendocino National Forest and Northern California Incident Management Team 2 – managing the incident.
Containment on Monday evening was at 75 percent, putting the fire on track to be fully contained this Wednesday, two days earlier than fire officials previously had anticipated.
Suppression costs were put at $12.1 million in the Monday evening report.
About 500 personnel were released from the fire on Monday, with the committed personnel dropping from 1,495 in the morning to 965 by nightfall. Also still working the incident were 21 Type 1 crews, 15 Type 2 crews, 9 helicopters, 77 engines, 17 dozers and 13 water tenders.
The unified command report said a sudden downdraft of winds on Sunday evening caused the fire to jump the line near Little Stony Creek campground, resulting in two small spot fires that totaled approximately four acres. Crews worked quickly and the spots were contained by around 10 p.m. Sunday.
Burnout operations in the remaining fuels between the fire’s edge and Goat Mountain Road took place on Monday, with the firing successfully held above the narrow road, which officials closed to let firefighters work in the area. Firefighters are now working to put direct line on that edge of the fire.
Fire crews are continuing to secure lines and put out hot spots, and have begun repairs along the west, north and east flanks of the fire, where mop up already has occurred, officials reported.
While the burnout caused smoke in some areas, overall Lake County’s air – which was filled with more smoke due to weekend firing operations – appeared to have improved on Monday.
Fire officials said patrolling will continue overnight, with burnout operations expected to be finished on Tuesday.
Cooler weather – along with cloudy skies and variable winds – is expected in the next few days due to a low-pressure system expected to pass over Northern California, although officials said rainfall isn’t forecast in the fire area.
The unified command reported that on Monday voluntary evacuations and advisories for the Lakeview Loop, the west side of the Stonyford-Lodoga Road between Stonyford and Goat Mountain, and Century Ranch were lifted.
A public hearing on the fire suppression efforts will be held at 7 p.m. at the Stonyford Grange.
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