STONYFORD — A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is surveying the Mill Fire to assess rehabilitation needs for the impacted area of the Mendocino National Forest (MNF).
A public meeting was set for Monday at 5 p.m. at the Stonyford Grange Hall to provide current information about the BAER assessments, introduce primary agency contacts and obtain public input.
“Even after the last flame has been extinguished on the Mill Fire, potential threats to life, property and natural resources may remain,” BAER Team Leader Mike Van Dame said. “These threats come from winter storms that fall on watersheds stripped of their protective vegetation. So, as suppression efforts wind down, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will begin to assess the potential threats.”
The BAER team is gathering information on structures, roads and other improvements and resources that are within, nearby or downstream of the burned area.
“Each will be assessed to determine if post-fire conditions could pose a significant threat,” Van Dame said. “In cases where a threat exists, the team will determine if there is a practical, cost-effective treatment that can reduce the threat. If so, it may be proposed for funding under the appropriate agency”s emergency response program. Each agency has specific guidelines for what treatments qualify for funding.”
Reducing some threats may require treatments that come under more than one agency”s authority.
The Mill Fire was fully contained Wednesday. It began July 7, scorching 29,502 acres in the Colusa County portion of the MNF. The cause is still under investigation. Four injuries were reported, though not specified. Five outbuildings were destroyed.
Costs associated with the fire totaled more than $15.8 million. A total of 174 personnel were still assigned to the burn area as of Saturday.
A MNF Type 3 organization Thursday took command of the fire and fire suppression repair process. Incident commander Kipp Morrill said crews are making quick progress in the mop-up phase of the fire while remaining focused on safety.
Residents will continue to see smoke within the fire lines as the days grow hotter and the humidity decreases. This is normal after a fire, and residents can rest assured that crews will be vigilant about responses to any smoke and visible fire, according to officials.
Archery season for deer hunting is open. A closure order remains in effect for the fire area. Hunters who traditionally visit the recreation area outside Stonyford on the southern portion of the Grindstone Ranger District will be affected by the closure. A closure order remains in effect for the MNF for all roads and trails in the recreation area outside of Stonyford.
More information about archery season, other recreational activities and closure notices can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/.
Fouts Spring Road (M10 Road) and Goat Mountain Road are open to residents only. The Bureau of Reclamation re-opened East Park Reservoir Friday.
