North Pass Update 08-30-2012
Incident: North Pass Wildfire
Released: 8/30/2012
North Pass Fire Update - August 30, 2012
On Scene Contact: North Pass Fire Information (707) 983-6318
Online Updates: http://inciweb.org/incident/3201
Fire Status:
Size: 34,119
Date Started: Saturday, August 18, 2012, approximately 2:47 a.m. Location: 10 miles north east of Covelo in Williams Valley
Percent Contained: 28%
Cause: Lightning
Total Personnel Assigned to the Fire: 2,024
Resources: Hand crews: 34 Helicopters: 13 Dozers: 36 Engines: 160 Fixed Wing: 2 Helitack Crews: 0
Summary:
The fire in general continues to move in a north/northeast direction, as it backs into the Middle Fork of the Eel River, Hammerhorn Lake, and Asa Bean Ridge. Burnout operations continued last night along the southeast flank, with containment lines along Forest Rd. M2 and generally north of Forest Highway 7. Crews continued burning last night in these areas to strengthen control lines and, if conditions are favorable, will continue through today. 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. The inversion continues generally through the morning, hampering air operations due to smoky conditions throughout the fire. The evacuation order will be reviewed this morning.
Projected 48-HourMovement/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.
IncidentPriorities:
To provide for public 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 theTrinity 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 County line, including Bauer Ranch subdivision andForest 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
