LAKEPORT, Calif. – A wildland fire complex burned nearly 500 more acres in northern Mendocino County on Sunday, with officials reporting that a helicopter was damaged during operations the previous day.
The North Pass Fires had burned a total of 41,340 acres by Sunday, with containment remaining at 58 percent, according to a report from the unified command of Cal Fire and the US Forest Service.
The two fires, caused by lightning and burning since early on Saturday, Aug. 18, are located in the Williams Valley 10 miles northeast of Covelo.
Containment is expected on Monday, Sept. 10, the US Forest Service reported.
A Sunday night US Forest Service report said a helicopter was damaged during a routine water drop on Saturday afternoon.
Due to smoky conditions, the helicopter hit a dead tree, damaging its rotor blades. The report said the helicopter remained operational and landed safely near Howard Lake. No one was hurt and the crew was flown out in another helicopter. The Forest Service said new helicopter blades will be flown in to repair the damaged aircraft.
The number of personnel assigned to the incident was rolled back by more than 400 to 1,275 on Sunday. Nearly two-thirds of the engines assigned were reduced, with 63 engines remaining on scene, along with 10 fire crews, two airtankers, 17 helicopters, 12 bulldozers and 29 water tenders, unified command reported.
Officials said the fire is backing down to the Middle Fork of the Eel River on the northeast side and slowly advancing downslope to the north in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness.
Damage assessment of private property is ongoing; so far 16 structures have been destroyed, according to the report.
Fire lines continue are continuing to hold on the south end of the fire and crews were conducting burnouts to improve fire lines. The Forest Service report said there was one small spot on the southeastern perimeter but firefighters were able to put it out with help from water-dropping helicopters.
Officials said evacuations remained in effect for all areas north of the Forest Service gate at Boardman Ridge Campground on Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1), and all areas east of Benchmark 2444 to Forest Road M-4 on Mendocino Pass Road (Forest Highway 7).
A closure order continues to cover all areas of the Covelo Ranger District north of Mendocino Pass Road to the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forest boundaries.
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