UPPER LAKE >> Firefighters remaining on the line north of Upper Lake are in the process of closing out the Elk Fire.
On Tuesday morning Cal Fire transferred full command of the incident to the U.S. Forest Service operating out of the Mendocino National Forest. The two organizations had been operating in tandem since the fire broke out on Sept. 2.
Crews devoted to the location shifted fully to mop up operations on the interior of the fire area. Ten engines patrolled the perimeter in search of hot spots.
This work will likely continue through the weekend.
At the start of the morning Tuesday, the Elk Fire remained at 670 acres — firefighters stopped its advance last Friday — and at 90 percent containment. Authorities did not update that data by press time, despite more gains through the day.
Considering the rural nature of the area, six water tenders remain in support of the engine crews. Air resources have been diverted elsewhere.
A total of 270 men and women were engaged in mop up operations on Tuesday.
