Eel, Mendocino National Forest

Eel, off Indian Dick Road and Mendocino Pass Road, east of Covelo Mendocino National Forest. Moderate fire behavior with
creeping, smoldering and short-range spotting. Structures threatened.

August 6, 2018 at 12:34 PM

Fire managers have lifted the evacuation advisory previously in place for roads and areas near the Eel Fire, 10 miles east of Covelo. With containment at 60 percent and no growth in several days, fire managers have determined the area is safe for the public and residents.

Please use caution while traveling through the area as personnel and equipment are still working on the fire. Fire crews continue to mop up smoldering vegetation, reinforce containment lines and fell dead standing trees that pose a threat to firefighters on the line. With diminished fire activity, the number of resources needed on the incident will start to decrease. There are approximately 144 personnel working on the incident and the fire remains at 972 acres.

August 5, 2018 at 8:04 PM

Calmer winds and lower temperatures aided firefighting efforts on the Eel Fire 10 miles east of Covelo on the Mendocino National Forest. Firefighters reached 60 percent containment on the incident Sunday and the fire remained at 972 acres.

There are 144 personnel assigned to the incident to patrol, extinguish smoldering vegetation near containment lines (commonly referred to as mopping up) and to fell snags that pose a threat to firefighters working on the fireline. This incident is aided by personnel from the US Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Arizona and the private sector. Incident Commander Dale Shippelhoute said, “The interagency cooperation on this incident showed how individual agencies come together and work effectively to meet one set of objectives on incidents no matter the location or jurisdiction.”

On Sunday, minimal fire behavior was observed with mostly smoldering and creeping. A warming trend will return with no precipitation in the forecast.

Mandatory evacuations were lifted for the North M1 Road from the Eel River Station to the Indian Dick Station. An evacuation advisory remained in place for this area.

August 4, 2018 at 12:49 PM

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Eel Fire area until 11 p.m. Saturday creating critical fire weather conditions for firefighters on the incident. Saturday, firefighters will continue to reinforce and cool the fireline with helicopter water drops, hoses extended from engines, and shovel work. When firefighters need to hike into areas that are difficult to access, they will carry their own water with them in 40-pound water carriers called “bladder bags”,

For safety reasons, tree fallers will be taking down “snags,” or dead trees, especially on the north end of the fire. A portion of the Eel Fire is in the fire scar of the 2012 North Pass Fire. “Snags from the North Pass Fire make it more challenging for firefighters to mop up and cool hot spots,” said Incident Commander Dale Shippelhoute.

A half-acre fire that escaped containment lines Friday was stopped and lined. The Eel Fire is 40 percent contained and 972 acres. There are 175 personnel assigned to the incident.

August 3, 2018 at 6:53 PM

Firefighters have gained more ground containing the Eel Fire 10 miles east of Covelo. The fire is now 40 percent contained and approximately 1,000 acres. With the rise in containment, fire managers lifted the mandatory evacuations along the M1 North Road from Eel River Station to Indian Dick Station at 6 p.m. Friday. An evacuation advisory remained in place.

There are more than 100 personnel assigned to the incident working to reinforce hand and dozer lines. Travelers are reminded to drive with caution and watch for personnel and equipment working in the fire area.

August 2, 2018 at 9:07 PM

On Thursday, firefighters made progress containing the Eel Fire 10 miles east of Covelo on the Covelo ranger district of the Mendocino National Forest. Containment increased from five to 25 percent and the estimated size is reported at 1,000 acres. The fire started Tuesday, July 31 and the cause is being investigated.

There are 143 resources assigned to the incident including two crews, 20 engines, one dozer and five water tenders. No additional critical resources are needed according to Incident Commander Dale Shippelhoute.

Potential north winds in the forecast could push the fire towards Forest Highway 7 (FH7) and structures along the road. FH7 is open but travelers need to be aware that conditions could change quickly. Mandatory evacuation orders have been implemented for the M1 Road from Eel River station to Indian Dick Station. Forty residences are threatened by fire spread, three have been destroyed.

August 1, 2018 at 6:16 PM

A new wildland fire started Tuesday, July 31 on the Covelo district of the Mendocino National Forest approximately 15 miles east of the town of Covelo off County Road M1 and Mendocino Pass Road. It is called the Eel fire and it is estimated at 1,000 acres.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations of all residences between Black Butte River, Anthony Peak, Forest Service Rd. M4, and Forest Service Rd. M1 to mile marker 10. Forest Highway 7 remains open at this time, but be aware that the situation could change quickly.

Approximately 105 people have been evacuated.

Resources assigned to the incident include six engines, four water tenders and several aircraft including two helicopters and air tankers as needed. The fire is moving east, southeast on the forest.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.