North Pass Fire Update 09-02-2012
Incident: North Pass Wildfire
Released: 9/2/2012
North Pass Fire Update - September 2, 2012
NORTH PASS FIRE INFORMATION
(707) 983-6318
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Covelo, CA - The North Pass Fire is 40,885 acres with 58% containment.
Repair of fire suppression activities continues on the west side of the fire perimeter. Fire lines continue to hold on the south end of the fire and crews continue to conduct burnouts to improve fire lines. There was one small spot on the southeastern perimeter but firefighters were able to put it out with help from water-dropping helicopters. 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.
A helicopter was damaged during a routine water drop yesterday afternoon. Conditions were very smokey and the helicopter hit a dead tree. The rotor-blades were damaged but the aircraft was still operational. The helicopter landed safely near Howard Lake. No one was hurt and the crew was flown out in another helicopter. New helicopter blades will be flown in to repair the damaged aircraft.
Firefighters can expect a maximum temperature of 90 degrees with a minimum humidity of 25% today. Winds will be 3-5 mph from the northeast on ridges shifting to 4-7 mph in the afternoon. The inversion layer will remain in place until late afternoon; the weather will be stable on the fire but smoke will remain in Round Valley.
EVACUATIONS
Forest Road M-1 (Indian Dick Rd): all areas north of the Forest Service gate at Boardman Ridge Campground
Forest Highway 7 (Mendocino Pass Rd): all areas east of Benchmark 2444 to Forest Road M-4
CLOSURES & FIRE RESTRICTIONS
PARTIAL MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURE IN EFFECT
PLEASE CHECK INCIWEB FOR DETAILS AT:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3201/
On Scene Contact: North Pass Fire Information (707) 983-6318
Fire Status:
Size: 40,385
Date Started: Saturday, August 18, 2012, approximately 2:47 a.m. Location: 10 miles north east of Covelo in Williams Valley
Percent Contained: 58%
Cause: Lightning
Total Personnel Assigned to the Fire: 1,622
Injuries to Date: 9
Impacts: Smoke impacts to local communities and commercial wineries; hunters and recreationists impacted by forest closure
Resources: Hand crews: 36 Helicopters: 12 Dozers: 12 Engines: 141 Helitack Crews:
