NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters continued to make progress on a wildland fire that’s been burning in the Mendocino National Forest for nearly a week.
The Mill Fire, burning north and east of Upper Letts Lake within the Colusa County side of the forest since last Saturday, reached 16,800 acres late Wednesday, according to Mendocino National Forest officials.
The fire edged up about 800 acres on Wednesday, with containment improving to 38 percent, the agency said.
Full containment is anticipated on Friday, July 20, according to the agency’s report.
The investigation is still ongoing into the cause of the fire, which has burned thousands of acres of mixed brush and timber, destroyed five outbuildings and resulted in two injuries, forest officials reported.
The firefighting effort to date has cost a reported $4.2 million.
Approximately 1,542 personnel were assigned to the fire on Wednesday, along with 28 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, six helicopters, 99 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders.
The incident command team reported that firefighters made good progress along the fire’s northern edge on Wednesday, with crews securing fire line and continuing mop up and patrol.
Planning also is under way for burnout operations, which officials said is used to strengthen containment lines and consume unburned fuel.
Also on Wednesday, the incident team managing the Mill Fire entered into unified command with Cal Fire due to the fire crossing into land under Cal Fire’s protection.
Smoke from the fire has led to the air quality management districts in both Mendocino and Lake counties issuing air quality alerts.
The U.S. Forest Service and the California Air Resources Board also have set up smoke monitors in affected communities including Stonyford, Fire Camp and Covelo.
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