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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A nearly 4,200-acre complex of five wildland fires near Maxwell in Colusa County has been fully contained.
The Sites Complex, burning since last Sunday, was reported 100-percent contained at approximately 4,185 acres Thursday evening, according to a Cal Fire report issued just after 7:30 p.m.
While fully contained, Cal Fire said smoke may still be visible within the complex’s control lines.
The Sites Complex’s full containment came a day ahead of Cal Fire’s previous estimates.
No structures were destroyed and no evacuations had been required, but Cal Fire reported a total of five minor injuries as a result of the fires.
On Thursday evening, approximately 712 personnel, 37 engines, 26 fire crews and four bulldozers remained on the scene of the fire, located along Sites Lodoga Road between the town of Sites and East Park Road, according to Cal Fire.
While some personnel already had been released from the incident, firefighters and equipment are expected to remain on scene for mop up operations for several days, Cal Fire said.
No cause for the fire has yet been reported.
Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4 will be transitioning command of the incident to the local Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Officials said Thursday morning that a wildland fire burning in the Mendocino National Forest had grown in acreage but another near Maxwell was being held to its lines and getting closer to full containment.
The Mill Fire in the Colusa County side of the forest, burning near Upper Letts Lake, was at 17,300 acres and 38-percent containment on Thursday morning, while the Sites Complex, also in Colusa County, remained at 4,185 acres, with its containment increasing to 90 percent.
Causes have not yet been determined for either fire.
Approximately 1,549 firefighting personnel were on scene Thursday morning. Dedicated resources for the Mill include 29 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, eight helicopters, 100 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders, the Mendocino National Forest reported.
Forest officials said the Mill Fire had resulted in another injury since Wednesday, bringing the total to three.
Five outbuildings have been destroyed, and there have been evacuations from campgrounds in the area of the fire and from small nearby communities, according to the report. The cost of the fire so far is estimated at $4.5 million.
Forest officials expect the fire to be fully contained on Friday, July 20.
Meanwhile, on Thursday the Sites Complex had 712 personnel, 37 engines, 24 fire crews, one helicopter, four bulldozers and seven water tenders, Cal Fire reported.
There have been four minor injuries as a result of the fire, which so far hasn’t destroyed any structures or required any evacuations.
Cal Fire said the Sites Complex is anticipated to be fully contained this Friday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters continued to make progress on a wildland fire that’s been burning in the Mendocino National Forest for nearly a week.
The Mill Fire, burning north and east of Upper Letts Lake within the Colusa County side of the forest since last Saturday, reached 16,800 acres late Wednesday, according to Mendocino National Forest officials.
The fire edged up about 800 acres on Wednesday, with containment improving to 38 percent, the agency said.
Full containment is anticipated on Friday, July 20, according to the agency’s report.
The investigation is still ongoing into the cause of the fire, which has burned thousands of acres of mixed brush and timber, destroyed five outbuildings and resulted in two injuries, forest officials reported.
The firefighting effort to date has cost a reported $4.2 million.
Approximately 1,542 personnel were assigned to the fire on Wednesday, along with 28 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, six helicopters, 99 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders.
The incident command team reported that firefighters made good progress along the fire’s northern edge on Wednesday, with crews securing fire line and continuing mop up and patrol.
Planning also is under way for burnout operations, which officials said is used to strengthen containment lines and consume unburned fuel.
Also on Wednesday, the incident team managing the Mill Fire entered into unified command with Cal Fire due to the fire crossing into land under Cal Fire’s protection.
Smoke from the fire has led to the air quality management districts in both Mendocino and Lake counties issuing air quality alerts.
The U.S. Forest Service and the California Air Resources Board also have set up smoke monitors in affected communities including Stonyford, Fire Camp and Covelo.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A series of wildfires burning west of Maxwell in Colusa County are nearing full containment.
The Sites Complex, which began Sunday afternoon along Sites Lodoga Road, was reported to be at 80-percent containment on Wednesday night.
Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported that the fire has burned 4,185 acres. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from increasing in acreage on Wednesday.
Full containment is anticipated to take place this Friday, Cal Fire said.
Approximately 1,102 firefighting personnel were on scene Wednesday, along with 62 engines, 42 fire crews, two helicopters, eight bulldozers and seven water tenders.
The fire’s cause still remains under investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County’s air basin continuing to see an influx of smoke from the Mill Fire in the Mendocino National Forest, county air quality officials issued another air quality alert for Thursday.
Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that because of the current weather patterns and the fact that the Mill Fire in Colusa County is still burning, Lake County is experiencing unhealthy air quality.
Air quality values have exceeded state health based particulate standards for small respirable
particulate and Ozone (photochemical smog).
The prediction for Thursday – given expected wind conditions and levels of particulate and ozone presently trapped in the air basin – is air quality levels that will be “moderate” to “unhealthy for
sensitive individuals” in Lake County, the agency reported.
Greatest concern exists from midmorning through late afternoon, with conditions expected to improve starting midafternoon as the ridge of high pressure begins to break down allowing the west winds to
start clearing out the smoke, according to the report.
Conditions are forecast to improve through the weekend resulting in a forecast for healthier air quality and cooler temperatures.
The moderate to unhealthy for sensitive individuals alert results from smoke transported by winds and ozone generated with the smoke, high temperatures, significant sunlight and humidity, the district said.
The smoke and sunlight cause chemical reactions in the air that further reduces visibility by forming secondary particles in addition to those already in the smoke. These particles draw the moisture out of the air, growing in number and size, making the haze even worse.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous for sensitive individual including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. The heat can make the stress worse, especially if exercising hard.
Residual haze and particulate from the many ongoing wildfires can be expected to continue throughout Lake County until the fires are out, the district reported.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Support for a National Conservation Area (NCA) within the Berryessa Snow Mountain region is continuing to gain momentum.
On Wednesday Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act.
The bill, along with H.R. 5545 – which was introduced on May 8 by Reps. Mike Thompson, John Garamendi and Lynn Woolsey – will secure permanent protection of much of the federal public lands within this region.
“The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is one of California’s treasures, and this bill will help ensure that it is protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Boxer. “The designation of a new National Conservation Area will not only help preserve the region’s natural resources, it will also promote tourism and create jobs in local communities.”
“We’re thrilled that Sen. Boxer has chosen to introduce legislation to protect this beautiful region which is so rich in ecological diversity and cultural importance,” said Sara Husby, executive director for Tuleyome. “Sen. Boxer is a true champion for our public lands and wild places. It’s exciting to see so many of our local communities, businesses, elected officials, and recreation groups behind the proposal and support continues to grow.”
Whether it’s hiking to the 80 foot high Zim Zim waterfall, fly-fishing in Putah Creek, boating on Lake Berryessa, or viewing wildflowers and wildlife, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region offers something for everyone.
Tuleyome said protecting the area is a win-win for all. According to the group, an NCA will secure continued recreation opportunities and provide well-managed recreation and user education for future and current generations.
“This legislation will not only preserve a very special ecosystem of California, but also preserves opportunities for high quality recreation for mountain bicycling, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, rafting and motorized use,” said Tom Ward, California policy director for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). “We are strongly supportive of efforts to protect sensitive habitats and to provide opportunities for the public to reconnect with the outdoors.”
Protecting special places not only increases recreational opportunities, but it also increases tourism, and creates a desirable place for people to live and work.
A recent study done by Headwaters Economics ( www.headwaterseconomics.org ) found that the counties around Giant Sequoia National Monument saw jobs grow by 11 percent and real personal income rise by 24 percent after the area was protected. It’s estimated that there is the same potential for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
“We are very pleased that Senator Boxer has introduced a companion bill in the Senate to protect the federal public lands of Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area,” said Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon. “The NCA designation will help to ensure that this region remains wild for our children and their children. It is not only good for the land but also for our local economies, which will benefit from the income and revenue generated by those who come to enjoy the outdoors in such a special area. We look forward to passage of this legislation.”
Visit www.berryessasnowmountain.org for more information.