- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Mill Fire increases to 16,000 acres; local strike team aids in firefighting effort
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – As fire suppression efforts continued on the state’s largest wildland fire, local firefighters were called to assist and county residents were warned to take precautions due to smoke pouring into the air basin.
The Mill Fire has been burning since Saturday in the Colusa County side of the Mendocino National Forest, north and east of Upper Letts Lake.
By Tuesday night, the Mendocino National Forest reported that the Mill Fire – the largest wildland fire now burning in California – had scorched 16,000 acres of timber and brush in steep and rugged terrain, with 30 percent containment.
“We are pleased with the progress the team is making, but there is still a lot of active fire in the area. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue our work,” NorCal Type 2 Incident Commander Joe Molhoek said in a written statement.
It’s cost $2.2 million to fight the Mill Fire thus far, according to the Tuesday night report. The cause still is being investigated.
The Mill Fire has so far destroyed five outbuildings, with two injuries reported, officials said.
Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells said local firefighters are working on the Mill Fire.
He said a request for a Lake County type 3 strike team – composed of smaller engines with four-wheel drive capability, suited for rugged terrain – was submitted Monday afternoon.
Wells said the team of five engines, a strike team leader and assistant, and a total of about 17 personnel left Monday afternoon, staying overnight at the base camp at the Stonyford Rodeo grounds. They remained on scene Tuesday, and were helping with firing operations.
Altogether, 1,114 personnel were assigned to the incident on Tuesday, along with 15 Type 1 crews, five Type 2 crews, seven helicopters, 91 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders.
Firefighters had continued to build and reinforce containment lines around the fire perimeter, with mop up and “cold-trailing” – physically checked for residual heat – was started on the northwest end of the fire, according to a forest report.
Challenged by steep terrain and fire spotting, firefighters weren’t able to build much line on the fire’s south flank, while officials said the north flank continued to burn out in heavy fuels with minimal fire spread.
Overnight Tuesday and into early Wednesday the Mill Fire is expected to burn actively at higher elevations because of moderate humidity recovery and nighttime winds. Steep terrain and wind are expected to contribute to more fire activity on the south and east flanks.
Firefighters are trying to protect the forest’s natural and cultural resources – including wet meadows, riparian areas, wildlife habitat and cultural properties, the forest reported.
Smoke from the fire has poured into Lake County’s air basin, leading on Tuesday evening to the Lake County Air Quality Management District issuing an air quality alert warning of the possibility of unhealthy conditions for sensitive populations as well as the rest of the county on Wednesday.
The Mendocino County Air Quality Management District also issued an air quality advisory for Covelo/Round Valley and the Mendocino County portion of the Mendocino National Forest due to smoke from the various fires in the region.
Hot, dry weather conditions with moderate south to southwest winds and low humidity are forecast for the remainder of the week, which will impact the effort.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for the communities of Fouts Springs, Bonnie View, Board Camp Springs and campgrounds within the Upper Letts Lake area. Voluntary evacuation covers a portion of Stonyford.
The Mendocino National Forest has issued a closure order for all roads and trails in the forest’s recreation area outside Stonyford on the south central portion of the Grindstone Ranger District. The closure order can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices .
The Fouts Spring Road (The M10 Road) is closed at Stonyford, the Goat Mountain Road is closed at the Stonyford Lodoga Road and voluntary evacuation is in effect for the Lake View Loop Road to the Goat Mountain Road.
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