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Firefighters work to control Eel fire in Mendocino National Forest
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Firefighters are continuing efforts to control a fast-moving wildland fire near Covelo.
The Eel fire began on Tuesday in the Mendocino National Forest’s Covelo district.
Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore said the fire is located approximately 15 miles east of the town of Covelo, off County Road M1 and Mendocino Pass Road.
The latest report from Moore on Wednesday put it at 1,000 acres.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office has issued mandatory evacuations of all residences between Black Butte River, Anthony Peak, Forest Service Road M4, and Forest Service Road M1 to mile marker 10.
Forest Highway 7 remains open at this time, but be aware that the situation could change quickly, Moore said.
Resources assigned to the incident include six engines, four water tenders and several aircraft including two helicopters and air tankers as needed. The fire is moving east, southeast on the forest, according to Moore.
Moore said the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Health & Human Services Agency of Mendocino County reported that it opened a shelter on Wednesday afternoon at Round Valley Elementary School, on the corner of Howard Street and Airport Road in Covelo. The Round Valley Elementary School Shelter will have cots, blankets and food available to those evacuees displaced by the fires.
For more information about the Round Valley Elementary School Shelter, please call the Fire Call Center at 707-467-6428.
The Rodeo Arena, located at 22320 Airport Road, Covelo, is accepting large animals that need lodging due to the fires. They are not accepting small animals at this time. For more information, please call Lourance Hall at 707-972-3637.