July 14, 2012, 8:00 pm

Summary: Burning operations have helped to secure containment lines, removing fuels ahead of the fire’s edge. Firing along the south and southeast flanks of the fire will continue this evening and is expected to continue tomorrow.

Firefighters are securing containment lines on the southwest, west, north and east sides of the fire. They are extinguishing hot spots from the fire’s edge, patrolling up to 300 feet inside the lines and assessing conditions to begin fire suppression repair actions.

Although the local air districts have lifted air quality alerts, residents should still be aware of smoke impacts. Smoke from the Mill Fire will be visible as burnout operations continue for at least one more day.

Goat Mountain Road is now closed. This closure will be in effect for the duration of firing operations; at a minimum of one more day. This closure is for firefighter and public safety. Fire crews will be working on this narrow road and falling debris may make travel dangerous.

Archery season for deer hunting opened today, Saturday, July 14. A closure order remains in effect for the fire area. Hunters who traditionally visit the recreation area outside Stonyford, on the south central portion of the Grindstone Ranger District, will be affected by this closure. The Snow Mountain Wilderness Area is still open and accessible from northern trailheads, including West Crockett. In addition, the Grindstone Ranger District provides unique recreation opportunities including a popular off-highway vehicle trail system. The fire has impacted 90 miles or two-thirds of this system. More information about archery season and other recreational activities can be found on the Mendocino National Forest website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/.

The Mill Fire is in Unified Command with CAL FIRE and Northern California Incident Management Team 2.

Time/Date Started: July 7, 2012

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

Cause: Under investigation

Fuels: Timber, brush

Size: 25,578 acres

Injuries: 3

Containment: 55%

Structures Destroyed: 5 outbuildings

Cost: $9,000,000

Estimated Containment Date: 07/20/2012

Resources Committed: 30 Type 1 crews, 15 Type 2 crews, 9 helicopters, 107 engines, 20 dozers, 13 water tenders. Total personnel = 1,664

Predicted Weather: Sunday’s weather is expected to be similar to Saturday. Slight cooling and increased humidity are associated with a low-pressure trough moving across the area. Winds are expected to be light on slopes and ridgetops and smoke will be transported south. Even cooler temperatures and higher humidity are predicted for early next week.

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.

· The Bureau of Reclamation has closed East Park Reservoir in Colusa County, about 100 miles northwest of Sacramento, California, to recreational activities due to safety concerns which include air quality and emergency vehicles operating in the area.

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