Baseball, Mendocino Natl. Forest

Baseball, near Atchison Camp Ground, 18 miles East of Covelo, Mendocino National Forest.

March 3, 2020 at 8:48 PM

The Baseball Fire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest is 100 percent contained at 211 acres. The fire is located about 15 miles southeast of Covelo in Mendocino and Glenn counties.

Crews will continue to mop-up and patrol the fire until the fire is considered out. The fire started on Tuesday, Feb. 25 after debris piles that were burned several weeks ago reignited on the Baseball prescribed fire project. The fire has burned at a low to moderate rate in a mosaic pattern similar to the desired effects from a prescribed fire.

Covelo District Ranger Frank Aebly says, “The Baseball Project is a multi-year effort aimed at improving wildlife habitat, decreasing stand density, reducing hazard fuels and decreasing fire intensity in the event of a future wildfire. It was the previous thinning and prescribed burning activities on this project over the years that helped prevent the fire from spreading rapidly and negatively impacting the area.”

March 2, 2020 at 8:48 AM

Lines held yesterday under gusty winds. Fire behavior was reported as minimal and smoldering. Federal timberlands, critical wildlife habitat, cultural values and improvements in Atchison Campground are threatened. Atchison Dispersed Campground is closed to the public. Smoke may impact local communities.

February 29, 2020 at 9:46 AM

Containment has increased to 65 percent on the Baseball Fire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest. The fire is approximately 211 acres. The increase in acreage is the result of a more precise measurement of the perimeter after a firing operation on Thursday where crews burned the vegetation between the main fire and an established handline to contain the fire. The Baseball Fire straddles Glenn and Mendocino counties, 15 miles southeast of Covelo.

There are about 100 personnel on the incident including engines and crews from the Mendocino, Klamath and Six Rivers national forests and from Oregon. On Saturday, crews will continue to mop-up and patrol the fire.

The forecast shows cloudy and cooler conditions over the weekend with the potential for 11 to 17 mph winds on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to be in the 40s Saturday and 30s on Sunday.

It has been determined that the Baseball fire started from previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber in steep, rugged terrain at a low to moderate rate in a mosaic pattern, similar to the desired effects from a prescribed fire. There are no immediate threats to property or structures.

February 27, 2020 at 11:35 AM

The Baseball Fire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest remains at 68 acres and 40 percent contained. The fire is about 15 miles southeast of Covelo in Glenn and Mendocino counties.

About 100 personnel are working to complete containment of the fire. Assisting on the incident are engines and crews from the Mendocino, Klamath and Six Rivers national forests and from Oregon.

It has been determined that the Baseball fire started from previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber in steep, rugged terrain. The fire is spreading at a low to moderate rate in a mosaic pattern, similar to the desired effects from a prescribed fire. There are no immediate threats to property or structures.

Thursday’s forecast shows warm, dry weather continuing with a light wind around 5 mph and temperatures in the mid-60s.

February 26, 2020 at 10:39 AM

Fire crews have increased containment to 40 percent on the Baseball Fire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest. The wildfire is estimated at 68 acres and is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Covelo near Atchison campground. It has been determined that the fire started from previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project.

The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber. There are no immediate threats to property or structures.

About 75 personnel are working on the incident and resources include crews, engines, a water tender and a helicopter. Wednesday’s forecast shows the warm, dry weather continuing with a light wind around 5 mph and temperatures in the high-60s.

February 26, 2020 at 8:30 AM

Good progress made overnight, containment is up to 40%, more accurate mapping puts the fire at 68 acres.

February 25, 2020 at 8:02 PM

Containment has increased to 10%. Federal timberlands remain threatened.

February 25, 2020 at 4:37 PM

The Baseball wildfire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest has grown to approximately 60 acres and is five percent contained. It has been determined that the fire started from previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project. The Baseball Fire is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Covelo near Atchison campground.

About 55 personnel are assigned to the incident including one crew, three engines, one water tender and a helicopter. An additional crew has been ordered. Conditions reported at the fire are light wind, 70 degrees and a low to moderate rate of spread.

There are no immediate threats to property or structures. More information will be provided as it becomes available.