A morning fire update from Calfire and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

A new wildfire that ignited in the Calpella area of Mendocino County yesterday afternoon caused mandatory evacuation and destroyed an uncounted number of structures and after it quickly grew by more than 275 acres.

Despite reports on the Calfire website that the fire, which is being referred to as the “Hopkins Fire,” is 20 percent contained, Calfire Mendocino Unit Chief George Gonzalez said minutes ago in a morning fire briefing that the fire is 10 percent contained.

“It started out as a small, less than 1-acre fire, and rapidly grew to where it is today,” Gonzalez said.

A damage inspection team has been requested to determine how many structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. Evacuation orders remain in effect today as at least 200 structures are still threatened in the area.

While firefighters reportedly made good progress on the fire last night, Gonzalez said that the area remains unsafe.

“We are not out of the woods quite yet,” he said.

A team of 262 firefighters is actively working on the fire, including 22 engines, six water tenders, two helicopters, seven dozers and six hand crews.

Video of the fire recorded yesterday afternoon. | Local journalist Terri Klemetson.