NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters made additional programs on a two-fire complex burning in northern Mendocino County on Monday.
The lightning-caused North Pass Fires had burned 42,144 acres by Monday, with firefighters reaching 60 percent containment.
Cal Fire and US Forest Service officials anticipate the fires – burning near Mendocino Pass Road, 10 miles northeast of Covelo – will be fully contained by Monday, Sept. 10.
Firefighter and equipment resources gradually are being released from the incident, officials reported.
Fire personnel assigned on Monday totaled 1,372, including 54 engines, 14 fire crews, two airtankers, 14 helicopters, eight bulldozers and 30 water tenders, according to the Cal Fire and US Forest Service unified command.
On Monday firefighters continued to build containment line on the north end of the incident as it backed down the steep slopes to the Middle Fork of the Eel River. The fires have reached the Eel River on the northeast side and are remaining on the west side of the river.
Officials said fire crews have prepared several containment lines on the east side in case the fires move across the Eel River. Fire lines are holding along the south and west fire perimeter and crews have begun fire suppression repair in this area.
Evacuations remain in effect for some areas of Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1) and Mendocino Pass Road (Forest Highway 7), according to the report.
All areas of the Covelo Ranger District north of Mendocino Pass Road to the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forest boundaries also remain under a US Forest Closure order.
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