Incident: Mill Fire Wildfire
Released: 6 hrs. ago

NorCal2

Type II

Interagency Incident Management Team

Mill Fire

Stonyford, California

 

Fire Info Line: 530-963-3128

Staffed 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Fire Information Office: 530-963-3951, 559-280-5418, http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2998/

 

July 11, 2012, 8:00 pm

Mill Fire Update

Summary: Good progress along the northern edge of the Mill Fire was made today. Crews secured constructed fire line containing the north flank and will continue to mop up and patrol.

Extremely dry fuels coupled with unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity are contributing to the fire’s activity. Fire fighters are using indirect line where flames or topography make it too dangerous to go direct along the uncontained fire edge. Planning is underway for burnout operations. This tactic is used to strengthen containment lines and consume unburned fuel between indirect line and the fire’s edge.

Today the Incident Team managing the Mill Fire entered into Unified Command with CAL FIRE, due to the fire crossing into land under CAL FIRE protection (Direct Protection Area).

The Mendocino & Lake County Air Quality Management Districts have issued Air Quality Alerts for the region. The Forest Service and the California Air Resources Board have set up smoke monitors in affected communities including Stonyford, Fire Camp, and Covelo.

Time/Date Started: July 7, 2012

Location: Mendocino National Forest, north and east of Letts Lake

Cause: Under investigation

Fuels: Timber, brush

Size: 16,800 acres

Injuries: 2

Containment: 38%

Structures Destroyed: 5 outbuildings

Cost: $4,200,000

Resources Committed: 28 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, 6 helicopters, 99 engines, 20 dozers, 12 water tenders. Total personnel = 1,542.

Predicted Weather: Hot and dry conditions will persist through the next several days with moderate south to southwest winds and low humidity.

Closures:

· A closure order remains in effect for the Mendocino National Forest for all roads and trails in the recreation area outside Stonyford on the south central portion of the Grindstone Ranger District. The closure order can be found on the internet at: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices.

 

Evacuations:

· Evacuations are in effect for the areas of Fouts Springs, Bonnie View, and Board Camp Springs and campgrounds within the Upper Letts Lake area.

  • Portions of the community of Stonyford are under voluntary evacuation,
  • The Fouts Spring Road (The M10 Road) is closed at Stonyford.
  • The Goat Mountain Road is closed at the Stonyford Lodoga Road.
  • The Lake View Loop Road to the Goat Mountain Road is under voluntary evacuation.
  • An Advisory has been issued to residents west of the Stonyford Lodoga Road between Stonyford and Goat Mountain Road to be prepared for a possible evacuation.

Public Meeting:

· A public meeting will be held at the Stonyford Grange Hall tomorrow, July 12 at 7 p.m. Members of NorCal Team 2 and the Mendocino National Forest will provide an operational update and smoke

Mill Fire is burning in northwestern Colusa County on the Mendocino National Forest.

The fire showed significant growth yesterday, driven by hot, dry, conditions. Growth was predominately to the east and north. Fire behavior including active torching, crown runs, and spotting up to one half mile in advance of the main fire. Northern California Team 2 (NorCal2), a Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the Mill Fire this morning.

 

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Saturday July 07th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Location 10 miles west of Stonyford, CA
Incident Commander Joe Molhoek

Current Situation

Total Personnel 1,317
Size 16,000 acres
Percent Contained 35%
Estimated Containment Date Friday July 20th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved The fire is burning in timber (litter and understory) and heavy mixed brush.
Fire Behavior Active fire behavior occurred throughout the night above 4,000 feet elevation. Below 4,000 feet overnight fire behavior was moderate where good humidity recovery occured.
Significant Events Resources continued to secure and mop up on the north flank of the fireline. Crews continued to complete line construction and mop up within the northwest flank of the fire. Along the south and east flank, resources continued to scout and construct direct control line. Indirect line continued to be improved on the south flank.