MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Forest officials said firefighters have found two more lightning fires on the Mendocino National Forest that were sparked by storms that began late last week and continued through this weekend.
Of the approximately 15 fires located on the Forest, only three on the Upper Lake Ranger District remain active, with the other fires declared either contained, controlled or out, according to forest spokeswoman Tamara Schmidt.
Schmidt said the Etsel fire is approximately 32 acres and 60-percent contained. It is located in the Yuki Wilderness and is burning in heavy timber and brush.
The Boardman fire is 40 to 50 acres. Schmidt said fire behavior increased Sunday afternoon from moderate to high due to winds.
Air resources – primarily helicopters making drops – experienced interference with hang gliders in the area, affecting their ability to safely work on suppressing the fire, Schmidt said.
The Deer fire, burning southeast of Lake Pillsbury, was estimated to be 50 to 75 acres on Sunday, according to Schmidt.
She said the Deer fire is burning in mixed conifer with fire behavior there also picking up on Sunday afternoon. Three structures are threatened. Two engine crews and two type one hand crews are assigned to work on the fire with the help of various air resources.
As dry conditions and hot temperatures continue, firefighters anticipate discovering more lightning fires in coming days, Schmidt said.
Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared for changing conditions. This includes reporting visible smoke that could be from a wildfire. To report a fire, please call 911.
The Mendocino National Forest is currently under fire restrictions. Visitors are asked to follow regulations and be careful with anything with a flame or that can throw a spark in the forest.
For more information about fire prevention, visit www.preventwildfireca.org/OneLessSpark/ ; for more information about the forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or follow the forest on Twitter, @MendocinoNF.
Two more lightning fires found on Mendocino National Forest
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