North Pass Fire Update 08-29-2012
Incident: North Pass Wildfire
Released: 8/29/2012
North Pass Fire Update - August 29, 2012
On Scene Contact: North Pass Fire Information (707) 983-6318
Online Updates: http://inciweb.org/incident/3201
Fire Status:
Size: 32,675
Date Started: Saturday, August 18, 2012, approximately 2:47 a.m. Location: 10 miles north east of Covelo in Williams Valley
Percent Contained: 35
Cause: Lightning
Total Personnel Assigned to the Fire: 1,815
Resources: Hand crews: 34 Helicopters: 12 Dozers: 36 Engines: 160 Fixed Wing: 2 Helitack Crews: 0
Summary:
The east flank is moving toward Forest Rd. M2 and southwardly towards Forest Highway 7. Crews began burning operations in these areas to strengthen control lines. Firefighters working at night continued this mission and, if conditions are favorable, will continue through today. The fire is moving downhill to the Middle Fork of the Eel River, Hammerhorn Lake, Foster Glade and Asa Bean Ridge on the northern flank. Sixty-four residences, five commercial properties, and 65 outbuildings are threatened. Four residences and seven outbuildings have been destroyed. Field observers from the Structure Protection Group will continue to assess structures. This effort has been impeded by smoke and impassable roads. The evacuation orderwill be reviewed this morning.
Projected 48-Hour Movement/Spread: The fire is anticipated to spread northeast toward Tantrum Glade(USFS Rd. M2), north toward Wrights Valley, Hole in the Ground and Hopkins Peak.
Incident Priorities:
To provide forpublic and firefighter safety.
Maintain effective communications with communities and county officials.
Keep Fire north of FH 7 (Mendocino Pass Rd.) and Black Butte Creek.
Keep Fire west of the area between Black Butte Peak, Logs Springs and Cold Springs.
Keep Fire south of the Yellow Fire Perimeter.
Keep Fire east of Murphy Creek on Round Valley Indian Reservation Lands.
Mandatory Evacuation Order:
Indian Dick Road (USFS Rd. M1), all residences on the Indian Dick Road (USFS Rd. M1), Mendocino Pass Rd. (FH7) north to the Trinity County line and east to the Tehama County line. This order also includes all residences and USFS campsites at Howard Lake Campground, Little Doe Campground and Hammerhorn Lake Campground and all USFS Wilderness Trailheads at Blands Cove, Hell Hole, Stick Lake, Foster Glade, Asa Bean, Rock Cabin, Georges Valley, Soldier Ridge, Smokehouse Ridge, and Green Springs.
Blands Cove Road from the start of the Traveler's Home Trailhead, north to the Trinity County line.
Mendocino Pass Road (FH7) north and south of the highway from the Eel River Work Center east to the Tehama/Glenn Countyline, including Bauer Ranch subdivision and Forest Service campgrounds.
Area, Road and Trail Closures:
Area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass Fire. Please check www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or inciweb.org/incident/3201/ for more information.
Mike Wakoski, Incident Commander - USFS
Norm Brown, Incident Commander - CAL FIRE
