STONYFORD — A public meeting was planned for Tuesday at the Stonyford Grange Hall to update the public about the Mill Fire in the Mendocino National Forest (MNF).
Members of NorCal Incident Management Team 2 and the MNF planned to provide an operational update and smoke information.
The fire is currently 13,000 acres in size and 20-percent contained. A total of 917 personnel and resources are assigned to the fire.
Firefighters continue to build and strengthen containment lines around the fire perimeter. Mop-up and “cold-trailing,” physically checking the line for residual heat, is starting on the north end of the fire.
“We are pleased with the progress the team is making, but there is still a lot of active fire in the area. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue our work,” Joe Molhoek, incident commander of NorCal Incident Management Team 2, said.
A closure order is in effect for the MNF for all roads and trails in the recreation area outside of Stonyford on the south central portion of the Grindstone Ranger District. This area is very popular with forest visitors, including off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and those looking forward to the upcoming archery season.
The closure order can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices.
The MNF offers a wealth of natural and cultural resources in addition to its unique recreational opportunities. Firefighters are making efforts to protect these special attractions for residents and visitors by preventing damage to wet meadows, riparian areas, wildlife habitat and cultural and heritage sites.
The Mendocino County Air Quality Management District issued an Air Quality Advisory for Covelo/Round Valley and the Mendocino County portion of the forest because of smoke from the various fires in the region.
