Pass Fire in Covelo as seen from Airplane on the Afternoon of August 19th

UPDATE 8/20 12:05 P.M: The fire is in heavy timber with limited access and is crowning and torching with  long range spotting that make it difficult to contain. A federal strike management team (type 2)has been called in today to assist and will be here later.  A total of two structures have been consumed and around 5700 acres burnt. Cal Fire describes the situation as “rapid rates of spread with extreme fire behavior.”

Some roads have been closed. Traveler’s Home Trail is closed to the public and Hams Pass/Blands Cove Road is closed to through traffic above Traveler’s Home Trailhead. There are over 600 personnel, 41 fire engines, 3 air tankers, a helicopter and 14 bulldozers on the blaze.

The fire is still only at 10% containment.

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UPDATE 8/20 10:10 A.M: The Mendocino Co. Air Quality Management Dist. has issued an alert due to the smoke coming from the fire for northern inland areas of that county.

Basically all elderly and those susceptible to air pollution should stay indoors today and

Persons experiencing any of the following symptoms should contact a health care provider: Headache; Repeated Coughing; Chest Tightness Or Pain; Difficulty In Breathing; or Nausea.

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Huge plumes of smoke from the Mendocino Pass Fire near Covelo are choking nearby communities. First reported Saturday afternoon, Cal Fire believes lightning struck the area kindling the dry hillsides.  Within hours, the blaze consumed hundreds of acres.  Yesterday, the fire spawned another by jumping the lines. It is called the Pass 2 fire.

This Monday morning, Cal Fire reports that 5130 acres have been burnt and both fires are only 10% contained.

According to Cal Fire, the “Pass 1 Fire has burned into the Mendocino National Forest. Pass 2 Fire jumped the fire line and is burning east toward the Pass 1 Fire.”

The California National Guard has been called up to help.  There are multiple other agencies involved besides Cal Fire and the National Guard—United States Forest Service Mendocino, Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as the Covelo Fire Dept.,  and the Calif. Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

There have been three injuries but all have been minor. The fire is near Asa Bean and Murphy Ridge.

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Photo by Kym Kemp