This story has been updated.
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials said Thursday that the largest of 15 lightning fires sparked by a lightning storm earlier this week has continued to scorch acreage.
The Daves Fire, burning on the Mendocino National Forest’s Grindstone Ranger District, is estimated to be 300 acres and 20 percent contained, officials said Thursday evening.
There is no estimated containment at this time, according to forest administration. However, the fire is holding on Skidmore Ridge.
NorCal Team 2 will be assuming command of the fire Friday morning, officials said.
The fire is burning in steep terrain in dense vegetation. Approximately 300 people are currently committed to the fire, according to the report.
Forest officials said smoke from the fire is expected to continue to be visible from the I-5 corridor.
Visitors are asked to avoid the area for both firefighter and visitor safety.
This includes County Road 55/Forest Road M4 southwest of Paskenta, including Black Bear Camp, and Forest Road M9 from County Road 313 west to Log Springs due to increased fire traffic in the area.
Officials said roads in this area are narrow, with few turnarounds, and large firefighting equipment will be traveling between Paskenta and the fire in the coming days.
The Daves Fire was spotted Wednesday afternoon and is the 15th fire discovered following the lightning storm early Monday.
As conditions continue to dry out and warm up, forest firefighters anticipate discovering more lightning fires in the coming days.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
Updates also will be available on Twitter @Mendocino NF.